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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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UNITED STATES OE AMEKI€A. 



THE DIGEST 






Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., 



OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 



From 1866 to 1893 Inclusive. 



COMMITTEE OF COMPILATION : 

JAMES P. SANDERS, Past Grand Sire ; 

GEORGE W. DILKS, Past Grand Master ; 

JOHN MEDOLE, Past Grand Master. 



ORDERED TO BE PRINTED : ANNUAL SESSION, 18 g 3. 



*>N 251894 

v O & - 

John Medole & Son, Printers. ^-s ^ WASH^ ^" 



NEW YORK: 



1894. 



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Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1894, 

By JAMES P. SA.NDERS, GEORGE W. DILKS, and JOHN MEDOLE, 
Committee of Compilation, 

and in behalf of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



PREFACE 



To the Grand Lodge of the State of New York: 

The undersigned, a Special Committee appointed under 
the following resolutions, viz. : 

"Resolved, That a Committee of Three be appointed to review and 
report any conflicts of law in, and to distinguish the decisions of, the Grand 
Masters and of this Grand Lodge since the issue of the last Digest, and re- 
port the same to this Grand Lodge at its next session, to the end that this 
Grand Lodge may settle and determine its existing laws prior to the 
publishing of a new Digest." (See page 591 of Proceedings of Grand 
Lodge, 1892.) 

"Resolved, That the Standing Committee of this Grand Lodge be 
directed to provide for a revision of the Digest up to and including the 
year 1892." (See page 556 of Proceedings of Grand Lodge, 1892; also 
the action of the Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge, held October 
10, 1892.) 

respectfully report, that they have, to the best of their 
knowledge and ability, examined all the laws and decisions 
made by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York from 
the year 1866 to 1893, including both of these years ; have 
compared them with the decisions of the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge, and herewith submit their work to this Grand 
Lodge, believing, as we do, that the same will be found to 
be correct, and containing a faithful digest of all such laws 
and decisions to the present time. Your Committee, in 
doing this work, have only reported such laws and deci- 
sions as are general in their language and affecting all the 
Lodges and membership of our jurisdiction, and not of a 
personal or singular application, unless the same admitted 
of general application, and of benefit to all our Lodges and 
members. 



IV PREFACE. 



We have also omitted from this work all decisions which 
have become obsolete, either by amendment to the laws, 
change of Ritual, or overruled by the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge or this Grand Lodge, giving in all cases the latest 
decision and law on the subject-matter in question. 

We also submit with this report a list of decisions that 
have been made from year to year, which we think should 
not appear in a public Digest ; and also those which your 
Committee believe are not good law, and to which we 
respectfully call your especial attention, and request this 
Grand Lodge to settle the question whether they shall 
appear in this new Digest, as good law to be followed and 
carried out by our Lodges or members. 

We also call your attention to the fact that some of our 
Grand Masters have been in the habit of giving in their 
Annual Reports their decisions upon questions which have 
been settled and decided by this Grand Lodge. We submit 
there is no necessity for such labor on their part, and they 
should only report to this Grand Lodge such decisions as 
may be submitted by them on new points of law raised, 
and upon which decisions have not already been rendered, 
unless there may be doubts as to their correctness. 

JAMES P. SANDEES, 
GEORGE W. DILKS, 
JOHN MEDOLE, 

Committee. 

August 22, 1893. 



DIGEST. 



ADJOURNMENTS. 



1. A motion to adjourn a Lodge to another day or time 
is never in order. A motion to adjonrn without day, or, in 
other words, to close the Lodge, is in order even where 
there is a legal code of procedure of business for the even- 
ing laid down in the By-laws of the Lodge, and before the 
regular order of business, as laid down, is gone through 
with.— 1871, pp. 20, 100, 102. 

2. A District Grand Committee has power to adjourn 
to a time certain. — 1867, pp. 81, 154, 155. 

3. No recess of a Lodge. — A Noble Grand of a Lodge has 
no right to declare a recess during Lodge hours. — 1877, p. 
11 ; 1891, pp. 84, 254. 

4. Not to adjourn. — A member entitled to the floor may 
make a motion to proceed to close, but not to adjourn, 
which is never in order. — 1891, pp. 84, 254. 



AMENDMENTS. 



5. Constitution of Grand Lodge. — Sec. 1. No part of this 
Constitution shall be amended, altered, annulled, or sus- 
pended ; nor shall any additions be made thereto, except at 
an annual session and in the manner hereinafter prescribed. 

Sec. 2. A proposition to amend this Constitution shall be 
recommended by a majority of the Representatives pres- 
ent at an annual session ; a copy of such amendment shall 
be transmitted to every Subordinate Lodge, and shall not 
be acted upon until the meeting of the next annual session 
thereafter. Provided, that all changes which may be re- 
quired to make this Constitution and the By-laws of this 
Grand Lodge conform to such laws, rules, and regulations 



AMENDMENTS. 



as may be made by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, shall be 
ordered at any annual session. 

Sec. 3. At such annual session the proposition shall be 
considered, and, if approved, upon the call of the yeas and 
nays, by two-thirds of the votes given, it shall be adopted 
and go immediately into effect, unless otherwise provided 
in the proposition. — Art. viii., Const. G. L. 

6. Constitution of the Grand Lodge must be approved by 
the Sovereign Grand Lodge. The amendment is not bind- 
ing until approved by that body. — 1873, pp. 462, 468, 560. 

7. Constitution of Subordinate Lodges. — This Grand 
Lodge shall have one general form of Constitution for the 
government of all its Subordinate Lodges, which shall be 
furnished to each Lodge that is now or hereafter may be 
acting under a Warrant regularly issued by it, which Con- 
stitution shall be considered as the law by which each 
Subordinate Lodge is to be governed in the transaction of 
its business, except so far as relates to the financial depart- 
ment thereof, in relation to which each Lodge shall have 
the power to make such By-laws as in its wisdom it shall 
judge best, which By-laws it may alter or amend at 
pleasure; provided that they conform to the said Con- 
stitution, subject to the approval of the Committee on 
Laws of Subordinates. — Sec. 2, Art. vii., Const. G. L. 

8. Constitution of Subordinate Lodges. — A majority 
vote on adoption of the amendment is all sufficient to 
adopt.— 1869, p. 370. 

9. Constitution of Rebekah Lodges may be amended at 
any time by the Grand Lodge without previous notice. — 
1870, p. 546. 

10. Degree Lodges. — These Articles, or any part thereof, 
shall be altered, amended, suspended, or annulled only in 
the manner provided in Section 7, Article vi. of the By- 
laws of the Grand Lodge for amendment of the Constitu- 
tion of Subordinate Lodges. — Sec. 1, Art. vi., Const. Degree 
Lodges. 

11. How amended. — The Constitution of Subordinate 
Lodges cannot be changed or amended, except at a regular 
session of the Grand Lodge next after the regular session at 



ANCIENT ODD FELLOWS APPEALS. 



which the proposition for such change or amendment shall 
have been submitted, in writing, by two Representatives. 
Provided, that all changes which may be required to make 
such Constitution conform to such laws, rules, or regula- 
tions as may be made by the Sovereign Grand Lodge of 
the I. 0. O. F., may be ordered and adopted at any session. 
— Sec. 7, Art. vi., By-laws G-. L. 



ANCIENT ODD FELLOWS. 

12. The holder of a Withdrawal Card, which has been 
granted twelve months, is an Ancient Odd Fellow, without 
regard to the length of time since the date of granting the 
same ._1869, pp. 344, 403, 407. 



APPEALS. 



13. Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 76. — A Lodge has the right 
to make an appropriation from its fund for the expenses of 
a supper after the celebration of the Anniversary of Odd 
Fellowship, but has no right to assess the members for the 
same.— 1869, pp. 387, 394. 

14. P. G., E. J. Peck. — A brother under charges, not yet 
tried, is entitled to all the privileges of the Order ; except- 
ing, he cannot receive a Visiting or Withdrawal Card, nor 
is he eligible to office until his Lodge fully disposes of the 
charges against him. A brother is innocent until proved 
guilty.— 1870, p. 552. 

15. D. D. G. M. Raleigh. — A Lodge got up an entertain- 
ment ; the funds for the same were obtained by voluntary 
subscriptions of the members of the. Lodge. There being a 
surplus on hand after paying all expenses, the Lodge, by 
vote, disposed of the same. Held to be legal. — 1871, pp. 
27, 28, 107. 

16. P.G. Samuel J. Pesoa. — A brother who has been nomi- 
nated and accepted a nomination is eligible for election, 
although absent from the Lodge at the time of election. — 
1871, pp. 27, 107. 



APPEALS. 



17. From D. D. G. M. Tubby.— A brother who is in 
arrears, upon paying them is entitled to receive a Visiting 
Card, although he may be sick at the time and not entitled 
to benefits. But such fact should be noted on the Card. — 
1871, pp. 28, 107; 1876, pp. 578, 579, 664. 

18. P. G. Henry Leidel. — German Oak Lodge, No. 82, ap- 
propriated from the funds of the Lodge money to be sent 
to Germany for the widows and orphans of the German 
soldiers who fell in the late German and French war. Held 
to be legal— 1871, pp. 28, 29, 30, 107. 

19. P. G. Geo. H. Buckwell. — Officers of a Lodge duly in- 
stalled by a Special Deputy, appointed by the D. D. G-. M., 
are legally installed, and a motion for reinstallation is out 
of order.— 1871, pp. 30, 107. 

20. P. G., B. F. Thomas. — A member has been sus- 
pended for non-payment of dues. He applies for rein- 
statement and is refused. He can again apply, without 
waiting six months. No reconsideration of the vote is neces- 
sary, as the application can be made at any subsequent 
meeting. The Secretary is not obliged to notify other 
Lodges of such refusal.— 1871, pp. 32, 34, 107. 

21. Union Lodge, No. 169. — The Lodge is not the proper 
place to settle business matters, and charges predicated on 
such matters should be discountenanced and forbidden. — 
1871, pp. 106, 107. 

22. Valley Point Lodge, No. 241— No brother can be 
expelled except upon charges regularly preferred and trial 
had (except for contempt) in conformity with the Constitu- 
tion and By-laws of the Lodge, no matter where the of- 
fence was committed. — 1872, pp. 289, 290. 

23. Pembrooke Lodge, No. 73. — A Lodge has the right 
to donate to a widow of a deceased member who was not in 
good standing in the Lodge at the time of his death. — 1874, 
pp. 167, 168; 1875, p. 420. 

24. German Oak Lodge, No. 82.— The District Grand 
Committee held that, because an appellant failed to appear 
before them, he was guilty of contempt, and thereby for- 
feited his right of appeal. Held to be error, there being 



APPEALS. 



no offence such as contempt to a District Grand Commit- 
tee.— 1874, pp. 167, 168. 

25. Temple Lodge, No. 412. — Where a Lodge was in- 
stituted in the last month of the term and officers installed 
they hold office until the end of the succeeding term, when 
they are entitled to the honors.— 1875, pp. 313, 425, 448. 

26. Mt. Hermon Lodge, No. 38. — Where a member is 
suspended for non-payment of dues it is the duty of the 
Secretary of the Lodge to give notice forthwith to all 
Lodges in the District. — 1875, pp. 315, 426. 

27. Monroe District, D. D. G. M. — A candidate balloted 
for, three balls against him, and he is re j ected. Ballot cannot 
be declared void. At the second meeting thereafter it was 
discovered that one of the black balls was cast by a brother 
not qualified to vote. It was too late to question the bal- 
lot, and a new ballot cannot be ordered. — 1875, pp. 315, 
425, 426. 

28. Albany District, D. D. G. M. — A member of a Lodge 
who has been notified or informed to attend the funeral of a 
brother not in good standing is liable to fine for such non- 
attendance.— 1875, pp. 316, 425, 426. 

29. James L. Ridgely Lodge, No. 287. — It is the duty 
of the Noble Grand to communicate the Passwords of the 
Subordinate Degrees to a brother of his Lodge whom he 
knows has once received the degrees and Passwords. — 
1875, pp. 316, 425. 

30. Moltke Lodge, No. 277. — All members are to be 
paid alike for sick benefits. A member who has a Card at 
the time benefits are reduced has no advantage over others, 
but must accept the reduced benefits from the time of the 
change in By-laws. — 1875, pp. 420, 421. 

31. Kosciusko Lodge, No. 86. — Where a Lodge directs 
a sister Lodge to take care of one of its members who was 
sick, and the Lodge hires and pays for watchers for said 
member, his Lodge must refund the amount so paid. — 1875, 
p. 423. 

32. Teoronto Lodge, No. 8. — A member who has been 
suspended for non-payment of dues, on his reinstatement he 
must receive a vote of two-thirds of all members present, 



APPEALS. 



those ilot voting to be counted in the negative. But a 
member who has been received, paid his dues, received the 
Passwords, although not legally elected, shall not be dis- 
turbed, he being without fault in the illegality. — 1870, pp. 
552, 553. 

The law as regards the ballot has since been changed, 
two-third vote of all voting by ball ballot being now re- 
quired. — Sec. 7, Art. ii., Sub. Const. 

33. Sister Mary E. Mott. — A Eebekah Lodge has the 
right to pay for carriage hire in attending funeral of a de- 
ceased sister. — 1874, pp. 38, 161, 162. 

34. Sister Mary E. Mott. — A Eebekah Lodge has not 
the right to appropriate funds to pay for suppers or colla- 
tions provided for visiting sisters. — 1874, pp. 38, 161, 162. 

35. Tompkins Lodge, No. 9. — There is no rule, regula- 
tion, or law of binding force in this jurisdiction compelling 
a brother who holds a Visiting Card that has expired, to 
surrender the same, or properly account therefor, before a 
new Card can be granted. — 1874, pp. 40, 161, 3 62. 

The Sovereign Grand Lodge subsequently adopted a 
resolution that an expired Card must be returned, or its 
loss or destruction accounted for. — 1882, pp. 9089, 9106. 

36. District Grand Committee of Suffolk. — Where there 
are two or more Lodges in a town, a resident of such town 
can apply to any Lodge located in said town for member- 
ship.— 1874, pp. 43, 161, 162. 

37. P. G. Stephen Ayles. — A Lodge has not the right to 
appropriate the funds of the Lodge to entertain guests visit- 
ing their Lodge, or to pay expenses for instruction in the 
Secret Work of the Order.— 1876, pp. 578, 662, 663, 672. 

38. P. G. August Grefe. — A Lodge is not allowed by vote 
to appropriate its funds for entertainment of its guests. — 
1876, pp. 579, 663, 664, 672. 

39. Jos. M. Burch against American Lodge. — Lodge ex- 
pelled him instead of imposing a fine, as By-laws provided. 
District Grand Committee ordered him reinstated. Lodge 
refused to obey the mandate. The Lodge appealed to the 
Grand Lodge, which refused to entertain the appeal while 
the Lodge was in contempt. — 1876, p. 645. 



APPEALS. 



40. P. G., J. C. Wolfe.— A brother holding a Withdrawal 
Card is under the jurisdiction of the Lodge granting the 
Card, until such time as such Card is accepted by some 
other Lodge, and charges against him must be brought in 
the Lodge granting the Card, until it is deposited as herein 
provided. — 1876, pp. 579, 580. 

41. P. G-., I. V. Mosher. — A Lodge can be legally opened 
if the Bible is not in the Lodge room. — 1876, pp. 580, 581. 

42. P. G., S. G. Fletcher. — An election of a Noble Grand 
on the night of the resignation of the Noble Grand then 
presiding was illegal. — 1877, pp. 14, 15, 134, 135. 

43. P. G. Marcus Adler. — A District Grand Committee 
under the laws cannot amend the By-laws at the same meet- 
ing the amendments are offered. They must lay over until 
next regular session of the committee. — 1877, pp. 15, 16, 
134, 135. 

44. New York Lodge, No. 10. — Where a Lodge has paid 
the amount provided by its By-laws for funeral benefits, for 
the burial, medical attendance, and other expenses during 
the sickness of the brother, it has complied with the laws 
of the Lodge.— 1877, pp. 16, 17, 134, 135. 

45. Reform Lodge, No. 361. — The taking of a recess by 
a Lod^e is illegal ; but the taking of such recess is not clos- 
ing of the Lodge.— 1877, pp. 17, 18, 134, 135. 

46. Hahn and Wagner against Allemania Lodge. — 
Fined for non-attendance at a funeral. The By-laws pro- 
vide that no excuse shall be acceptable for this fine. 
Ruled, that the fine could not be remitted by a motion, un- 
less the By-laws of the Lodge permitted such remission. — 
1877, pp. 128, 129. 

47. Pyramid Lodge, No. 305. — A Lodge has no right to 
make By-laws fining the members on the Sick Committee 
who are not officers of the Lodge for neglect of duty. — 
1877, pp. 124, 125. 

48. Joseph C. Wolff. — A Trustee of a Lodge is eligible to 
the office of Representative, if he be a Past Grand. — 1877, 
pp. 141, 142. 

49. P. G., C. F.Weitzel. — A suspension of the Vice Grand 
of a Lodge by trial vacates the office. — 1878, pp. 274, 375. 



APPEALS. 



50. P. G. Adolph Fuller. — A Lodge cannot pass a By-law 
fining a member for not accepting an office in the Lodge. — 
1878, pp. 274, 375. 

51. P. G., A. N. Blew.— In the absence of the D. D. G. M. a 

District Grand Committee could legally hold a session with 
a Past Grand presiding, and he had legally the right to 
confer the Past Official Degrees.— 1878, pp. 274, 375. 

52. P. G., P. W. Grefe.— On an application for a With- 
drawal Card, the Lodge should act as soon as application 
was made. But if no action then be had, the application 
may be withdrawn.— 1878, pp. 274, 275, 375 ; 1879, pp. 560, 
561, 637. 

53. Middletown Lodge, No. 112. — A Lodge appointed a 
committee to attend the funeral of a member who lived miles 
distant from the Lodge. The Lodge had the right to pay 
the reasonable expenses of the committee. — 1878, pp. 275, 
375. 

54. Mariners' Lodge, No. 23. — The widow of a deceased 
member is entitled to funeral benefits, notwithstanding the 
fact that her deceased husband as Treasurer of the Lodge 
was indebted to the Lodge.— 1878, pp. 276, 277, 375. 

55. Meier Elsas. — Where a brother brings suit against his 
Lodge for benefits, and judgment is rendered against him 
for costs, he cannot be suspended from the Lodge for such 
indebtedness. — 1878, p. 372. 

56. P.G.John Gunshannon. — Absence of an officer before 
the office can be declared vacant must be the three nights 
immediately preceding the action of the Lodge. — 1879, pp. 
561, 637. 

57. Bro. Harned. — A vote on the report of the Trial 
Committee cannot be taken the same night that report was 
made, but must lay over for two weeks. — 1879, pp. 561, 562, 
637. 

58. P. G., W. L. Gibson. — A District Grand Committee 
cannot refuse to receive an appeal because the same con- 
tained irrelevant, scandalous, and abusive language. — 1879, 
pp. 637, 638. 



APPEALS. 



59. Wm. Fried, of No. 415, from decision of D.D.G.M.— 
Where a Lodge has had an election, and a candidate who 
has received a majority of the votes cast is declared elected, 
and no objection being made at the time, and the candidate 
being qualified, the D. D. G. M. has no right to declare the 
ballot null and void and order a new election. — 1879, pp. 
605, 606. 

60. Phoenix Lodge, No. 41. — An amendment to By-laws, 
having laid over for two weeks, cannot be postponed, but 
action must be taken on the third meeting. — 1880, pp. 41, 



61. Pythagoras Lodge, No. 408. — No amendment to 
By-laws can be acted upon unless notice of the same is given 
to members as provided by the By-laws of the Lodge. — 
1880, pp. 41, 123. 

62. Brooklyn Lodge, No. 26. — A Lodge has a right by 
a majority vote to require the Treasurer of the Lodge to 
surrender money, books, etc., belonging to the Lodge. — 
1880, pp. 41, 123. 

63. Olive Leaf Lodge, No. 233. — A Lodge can legally 
fine its members for not attending the funeral of a de- 
ceased brother, but cannot charge such fines as dues. — 
1880, pp. 42, 123. 

A Lodge can legally fine its members for not attending 
a funeral, when the said members reside out of the county, 
unless exempt by By-laws of the Lodge. — 1880, pp. 42, 123. 

A Lodge can compel its members by law to attend the 
funeral of a brother when such funeral takes place out of 
the county in which the Lodge meets. — 1880, pp. 42, 123. 

64. Ivy Lodge, No. 472. — A member is obliged to pay 
such initiation fee as may be provided by the By-laws of 
the Lodge, at the time of his election. — 1881, pp. 328, 329. 

65. Hoosick Falls Lodge, No. 430. — Unless specially 
provided for in the By-laws of the Lodge, blank ballots 
count as part of the poll.— 1881, pp. 328, 329. 

65a. A resignation of a member does not take effect until 
accepted by the Lodge, and the member may withdraw the 
same before the action of the Lodge thereon. — 1881, pp. 
328, 329. 



10 APPEALS. 



66. District No. 2 of Kings. — To nominate a candidate 
for Grand Officer, it requires a majority vote of the mem- 
bers present. — 1881, p. 329. 

67. Olympic Lodge, No. 207. — A brother is not a Scarlet 
Degree member until he has the said degree conferred on 
him.— 1882, pp. 458, 550, 551. 

67a. In case a brother has applied for the Scarlet Degree, 
and has been taken sick before he has received the same, 
he is only entitled to such sick benefits as may be provided 
for an Initiatory member. — 1882, pp. 458, 550, 551. 

68. Ulster Lodge, No. 59. — It is not requisite that nomi- 
nations be made for Proxy Representatives. Election may 
be had without.— 1882, pp. 551, 552. 

69. Piermont Lodge, No. 83. — An officer of the Lodge 
cannot be expelled from the Order for mere neglect of 
duty.— 1883, pp. 114, 115, 116. 

70. James L. Ridgely Lodge, No. 287. — It is the duty 
of the Noble Grand to order the Warden to examine all 
persons in the ante-room previous to opening. — 1884, pp. 
282, 283, 341. 

71. District Grand Committee of Ulster. — Where a wit- 
ness is present at a trial before the Trial Committee his affi- 
davit cannot be received. — 1884, p. 355. 

72. Magnolia Lodge, No. 166. — A Lodge may provide 
in its By-laws against or for paying benefits for a fractional 
part of a week.— 1885, pp. 497, 552 ; 1890, pp. 336, 406. 

73. Lady Washington Rebekah Lodge, No. 43. — 
Where the vote on the expulsion of a member is taken on 
Sunday the same is illegal. — 1886, pp. 117, 118. 

74. Amity Lodge, No. 192, from decision of the D. D. 
Gr. M. — A member who has been suspended for non-pay- 
ment of dues, upon his reinstatement by the Lodge is not 
obliged to sign the application required of new mem- 
bers.— 1888, pp. 574, 575, 576. 

75. Skenandoah Lodge, No. 75. — A Lodge has the 
right to appropriate money from its funds to pay for the 
services of an instructor of teams for team work. — 1888, 
pp. 596, 597. 



APPEALS. 1 1 



76. Sequel Lodge, No. 542. — In the absence of the D. D. 
G. M. or other officer having the right to install the officers 
elect of a Subordinate Lodge, a Past Grand of the Lodge 
may install them.— 1889, pp. 35, 36, 88. 

77. Bismark Lodge, No. 420. — A brother cannot be tried 
on the same charges pending an appeal before the Grand 
Lodge.— 1889, pp. 36, 37, 88. 

78. Amsterdam Lodge, No. 134. — In case of necessity a 
Lodge may employ and pay counsel on trial of a brother 
under charges.— 1889, pp. 68, 69, 70, 86. 

79. Bro. A. H. Jonas, of Mendelssohn Lodge, No. 285. — 

A brother who violates Section 7, Article iv. of Constitu- 
tion of Subordinate Lodges, is liable to charges of conduct 
unbecoming an Odd Fellow.— 1889, pp. 88, 89. 

80. Ellicott Lodge, No. 221, from decision of the D. D. 
G. M. — The Inside Guardian must announce the name of a 
brother who asks admittance after the Lodge is open, be- 
fore the brother can be admitted into the Lodge room. — 
1890, pp. 340, 376. 

81. Bro. W. Hammersmith, of Cazenovia Lodge, No. 
341. — A brother cannot be suspended for non-payment of 
dues unless he has been first notified of the action that 
would be taken by the Lodge, as required by Section 1, 
Article vii., Constitution of Subordinate Lodges. — 1890, pp. 
337, 338, 376. 

82. John H. White, of No. 58, from the action of the 
District Grand Committee of Orleans. — Where the By-laws 
of a Lodge provide "for any offence against the laws of the 
land the brother shall be expelled," and the brother is 
found guilty on trial, the Lodge cannot vote on the penalty. 
The Noble Grand alone must enforce the penalty and de- 
clare the accused brother expelled. — 1890, pp. 375, 376. 

83. E. M. Van Namee, of Northfield Lodge, No. 338.— 

A Noble Grand has no right to loan to any person a copy 
of the Ritual or allow it to go out of his possession. He 
is personally responsible for the same. — 1890, pp. 341, 376. 



12 APPEALS. 



84. Accord Lodge, No. 160. — An officer being absent 
from three successive meetings, his seat may be declared 
vacant after but not at the third meeting, if the absence be 
from neglect, and the officer must have been notified of 
contemplated action and given an opportunity to excuse his 
absence.— 1891, pp. 159, 160, 233. 

85. Hattie 0. Cook, from action of Eastern Star Rebekah 
Lodge, No. 69. — In reference to expulsion, &c. — 1891, pp. 
110, 122, 202, 263; 1892, p. 584; 1893, p. 98. 

86. Lyman H. Essex, from action of Rochester City 
Lodge, No. 66. — In reference to sick benefits. — 1891, pp. 
127, 202, 264. 

87. Marshal G. Shannon, as to decision of Genesee 
Lodge, No. 3. — In reference to Withdrawal Card. — 1891, 
pp. 129, 221. 

88. Heirs at Law of Caroline Fisher, against German 
Oak Rebekah Lodge, No. 31. — In reference to funeral 
benefits.— 1891, pp. 130, 131, 202, 264. 

89. Silver Star Rebekah Lodge, No. 94. — In reference 
to balloting for membership.— 1891, pp. 137, 138, 202, 268, 
269. 

90. Friedens Lodge, No. 330. — In reference to funeral 
benefits.— 1891, pp. 139, 140, 202, 260. 

91. P. G. John G. Dougherty, from decision of D. D. G. M. 
of Ulster District. — In reference to installation of Perma- 
nent Secretary.— 1891, pp. 140, 141. 

92. George Tremount, from action of Harlem Lodge, No. 
201. — In reference to action of Lodge in appointment of 
committee to investigate character after receiving the First 
Degree.— 1891, pp. 141, 146, 201, 202, 261. 

93. In case of Rising Star Lodge, No. 304. — In refer- 
ence to payment of money by sister Lodge. — 1891, pp. 154, 
204, 264. 

94. A. Dederich and wife, from action of Albany Re- 
bekah Lodge, No. 9.— 1891, pp. 157, 233. 



APPEALS. 13 



95. Neshoba Lodge, No. 78. — In reference to receiving, 
into membership by deposit of Card, as to residence of 
applicant.— 1891, pp. 158, 159, 204, 252. 

96. William Davis, from action of Calumet Lodge, No. 
62. — In reference to sick benefits. — 1891, pp. 159, 241. 

97. Admiral Lodge, No. 377, from action of District 
Grand Committee of New York District No. 5. — In refer- 
ence to charges preferred. — 1891, pp. 234, 235. 

98. Schenectady Lodge, No. 227, from the action of the 
District Grand Committee of Schenectady. — In reference to 
sick benefits. — 1891, pp. 235, 236. 

99. Neversink Lodge, No. 358, from the decision of 
District Grand Committee of Orange District No. 2. — In 
reference to benefits. — 1891, pp. 236, 237. 

100. P. G., A. F. Hoppock, from the decision of District 
Grand Committee of Queens District. — In reference to trial 
proceedings. — 1891, pp. 237, 238. 

101. Trojan Lodge, No. 27, from the action of District 
Grand Committee of Rensselaer District. — In reference to 
sick benefits.— 1891, pp. 239, 240, 241. 

102. Lodges at Peekskill. — In reference to parading at 
laying corner-stone and wearing regalia upon said occa- 
sion.— 1891, pp. 157, 158, 242. 

103. Mt. Hermon Lodge, No. 38, from the decision of 
District Grand Committee of Albany District No. 1. — In 
reference to charges and funeral benefits. — 1891, pp. 262, 
263. 

104. A. C. Parsons, of Teoronto Lodge, No. 8, from the 
decision of District Grand Committee of Monroe District 
No. 1. — In reference to sick benefits. — 1891, pp. 267, 268. 

105. Champion Lodge, No. 554. — The Grand Master is 
the officer to grant a dispensation to a Lodge to elect a Third 
Degree member to the vacant chair of Noble Grand, all 
qualified members having refused to serve, and such dis- 
pensation being necessary. — 1891, pp. 160, 161, 234. 



14 APPEALS. 



106. Frank H. Weyant, from action of No. 255 and the 
D. D. G. M. — A Lodge has no right to refuse a brother a 
Withdrawal Card, when he is clear on the books of his 
Lodge and free from charges. — 1891, pp. 123 to 126, 264. 

107. Brewster Lodge, No. 457. — A proposition for mem- 
bership cannot be withdrawn after the Committee on Inves- 
tigation has reported thereon.— 1891, pp. 129, 130, 241, 253. 

108. Middletown Lodge, No. 112.— The f ailnre of a brother 
to fnrnish a certificate from a physician, that he has re- 
covered from his sickness or disability, is no forfeiture of 
his rights to sick benefits. — 1892, pp. 567, 568, 569. 

109. Holley Lodge, No. 42. — A suspended member for 
non-payment of dues was reinstated in membership, but 
failed to again sign the Constitution. Held, on that ac- 
count no forfeiture of sick benefits. — 1892, pp. 570, 571. 

110. Chase Lodge, No. 367.— Where the By-laws of a 
Lodge do not otherwise provide, a brother is not deprived 
of sick benefits by his refusal to pay fines standing against 
him.— 1892, pp. 581, 582. 

111. Freemen's Lodge, No. 170, vs. Ellenville Lodge, No. 
352. — In reference to money claimed to have been paid 
for watchers. — 1892, pp. 475, 476, 573. 

112. W. Gibbons, of Calumet Lodge, No. 62, from the 
decision of District Grand Committee of Broome District. — 
In reference to sick benefits. — 1892, p. 574. 

113. P. G. Caspar Weisenberger, from the action of Chase 
Lodge, No. 367. — In reference to the question whether a 
brother bv the non-payment of fines can be deprived of 
sick benefits.— 1892, pp. 581, 582. 

114. Case of Naugatuck Lodge, of Connecticut, against 
Yorktown Lodge, No. 191. — In reference to moneys paid to 
a sick brother.— 1892, pp. 582, 583. 

115. Jordan, from the action of Diamond Eock 

Lodge, No. 564. — In reference to payment of certain drafts, 
and the Lodge declared in contempt by the District Grand 
Committee. — 1892, pp. 585, 586. 



APPEALS. 15 



116. Mountaineer Lodge, No. 321. — In reference to recon- 
sideration of a favorable ballot. — 1892, pp. 587, 588. 

117. Concordia Lodge, No. 187, from the action of Erie 
District No. 2. — In reference to payment of sick benefits. — 
1892, pp. 588, 589. 

118. Henry Liebock, from the action of Northfield Lodge, 
No. 338. — In reference to opening of case decided in 1890. — 

1892, pp. 592, 593. 

119. Fannie Kaiser, of Mayflower Rebekah Lodge, No. 
77. — A brother, who is five months in arrears for dues, dies ; 
his family are not entitled to funeral benefits. — 1893, pp. 
39, 92, 93. 

120. Leon Cohen, from District Grand Committee of Col- 
umbia District. — As to expulsion from Hudson City Lodge, 
No. 142.— 1893, pp. 93, 94, 95. 

121. Schmahl, from action of Crescent Lodge, No. 

551. — As to right of Lodge to appropriate money from its 
funds to pay for banquet. — 1893, p. 95. 

122. John Lindsay, from decision of D. D. CM. of District 

No. 2, of New York. — As to election of officers of Olive 
Branch Lodge, No. 31.— 1893, pp. 47, 48, 96, 97. 

123. P. G. Otto E. Jaeger, from action of Buffalo Lodge, 
No. 37. — As to paying expenses of Representative to Grand 
Lodge.— 1893, pp. 98, 99. 

124. Mayflower Rebekah Lodge, No. 77. — As to action 
of D. D. Gr. M. in refusing to install Vice Grand of said 
Lodge.— 1893, pp. 44, 45, 121, 122. 

125. G. H. Moulthrop and S. A. Waterman, from action 
of District Grand Committee of Albany District No. 2. — As 
to legality of expulsion from Spartan Lodge, No. 210. — 

1893, pp. 122, 123, 124. 

126. Gettys Lodge, No. 11, from decision of District Grand 
Committee of District No. 8, of New York. — As to sick 
benefits.— 1893, pp. 124, 125. 



16 ASSESSMENTS. 



127. P. G. David P. Gardner against action of Principle 
Lodge, No. 48. — As to payment of fnneral benefits where 
there was no funeral. — 1893, pp. 45, 46, 47, 125. 

128. Northern Star Lodge, No. 458, from decision of 
District Grand Committee of Erie District No. 1. — As to 
widows' benefits.— 1893, pp. 135, 136. 

129. Chase Lodge, No. 367, from decision of District 
Grand Committee of Kings District No. 4. — Appeal re- 
turned for informality. — 1893, p. 136. 

130. Ceres Lodge, No. 225, from action of District Grand 
Committee of Kings District No. 3. — As to sick benefits. — 
1893, pp. 136, 137. 

131. E. H. Blinn, of Nathan Hale Lodge, No. 35, from 
decision of D. D. G. M. of Kings District No. 3. — As to in- 
stallation of Vice Grand.— 1893, pp. 138, 139. 

132. Prospect Lodge, No. 290, from decision of D. D. 
G. M. of Kings District No. 3.— As to sick benefits.— 1893, 
p. 44. 



ASSESSMENTS. 



133. Sec. 1. The revenue of this Grand Lodge shall be 
raised for the purpose of defraying the necessary expenses 
thereof, and not for accumulation or investment, beyond 
the sum of one thousand dollars to meet the current ex- 
penses in anticipation of receipts. 

Sec. 2. Such revenue shall be derived from Charter fees 
and assessments hereinafter provided. The fee for a 
Charter for a Subordinate or Degree Lodge shall be thirty 
dollars each, and for a Eebekah Lodge twenty dollars, to 
accompany the application. 

Sec. 3. At each annual session the Finance Committee 
shall ascertain what will be the deficiency for the current 
year in the amount on hand (exclusive of one thousand 
dollars as aforesaid) to pay the estimated expenses of the 
Grand Lodge, and the amount of such deficiency shall be 
assessed upon each Subordinate Lodge in proportion to the 
number of members it returned December 31st of the year 



ASSESSMENTS. 1 7 



next preceding said annual session. Such assessment shall 
be paid to the Grand Secretary forthwith by the Lodges, 
upon being notified thereof by him. — Art. v., Const. G. L. 

134. The Grand Lodge cannot levy an assessment ex- 
cept for its own support; hence a compulsory collection 
of taxes or dues for the purpose of establishing a an asylum 
for the aged and permanently infirm members of the Order 
in good standing " cannot be allowed. — 1870, p. 554. 

1. DISTRICT GRAND COMMITTEES. 

135. It is not lawful to assess, either in District Grand 
Committees or in the Subordinate Lodges in the District, 
to purchase regalia for the D. D. G. M. — 1874, pp. 43, 161. 

136. Neither can they assess to pay the expenses of 
members attending the meetings of the District Grand 
Committees.— 1875, pp. 311, 439, 442. 

137. Nor can they assess to pay the expenses of the 
D. D. G. M. incurred in the discharge of his official duties. 
—1875, pp. 312, 439, 442 ; 1876, pp. 560, 659, 664. 

138. Nor can they assess to pay for translation, in pro- 
ceedings on appeal, from the German to the English lan- 
guage. — 1876, pp. 577, 659, 664. 

139. Nor can they assess to pay for refreshments, mile- 
age, or per diem to the Past Grands for attending the 
meetings of the District Grand Committee. — 1877, pp. 
11, 156. 

140. Nor can they assess for any purpose, except for 
rent, books and stationery actually used in the District 
Grand Committee. — 1875, p. 444. 

141. Nor can they assess for printing circulars or elec- 
tioneering documents. — 1879, pp. 635, 636. 

142. Assessments levied by District Grand Committees 
are payable forthwith, and the committee is not obliged 
to give the items of the account for which the levy is 
made. If a Lodge refuses to pay the same, the District 

2 



18 ASSESSMENTS. 



Grand Committee may prefer charges against the Lodge so 
refusing to pay.— 1875, pp. 302, 303, 438, 441. 

143. A Lodge cannot exact items of an assessment 
made by a District Grand Committee. — 1885, pp. 497, 562. 

2. SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

144. Lodges cannot assess their members for the ex- 
pense of fitting up the Lodge room. — 1875, pp. 303, 438, 441. 

145. Nor can they assess to pay the expense of watchers 
to attend sick members of their own Lodge who are not 
beneficial members, nor for attending sick members of sister 
Lodges who may be reported sick to the Lodge. — 1877, pp. 
11, 156, 157. 

146. Nor can they assess to pay the expenses incurred 
in entertaining visiting or invited brethren or guests. — 
1876, pp. 578, 579, 662, 672. 

147. Nor can they assess to pay the expenses of brothers 
who attend schools of instruction. — 1876, pp. 578, 662, 
663, 672. 

148. Nor can they assess for any purpose so long as 
the Lodge has money in its treasury, unless provided for 
in their By-laws.— 1875, pp. 308, 439, 441. 

149. May levy and assess its members to pay sick 
benefits, due or to become due, provided the Lodge has no 
money in its treasury to pay the same. — 1876, pp. 562, 659, 
664. 

150. Cannot assess its members for a supper at its 
anniversary. — Where a Lodge made an appropriation from 
its funds to pay for a supper at its anniversary, it has no 
right to assess its members to make up the amount. — 1869, 
pp. 387, 394. 

151. Cannot levy an assessment on its members for 
funds to assist in erecting or furnishing a hall for the Lodge. 
—1891, pp. 109, 254. 



BALLOT. 19 



BALLOT. 

152. Voting in Lodges for members, either by initiation 
or by Card, or as Ancient Odd Fellows, must be by ball 
ballots, and not otherwise. — 1867, p. 159; Sees. 2 and 3, Art. 
ii., Const. Sub. L. ; Sees. 2 and 3, Art. iv., Const. Reb. L. ; 
Sec. 2, Art. iii., Const. Deg. L. 

153. Applications. — Sec. 2. The name of a person offered 
for membership, with his age, residence, and occupation, 
must be proposed by a member, in writing, signed by the 
applicant, and entered upon the record, and forthwith be 
referred to a committee of three members for investigation, 
who shall report at the next succeeding regular meeting, 
when the candidate shall be balloted for with ball ballots, 
and if not more than two black balls appear against him he 
shall be elected, but if three or more appear he shall be re- 
jected, and so declared. 

Deposit of Card. — Sec. 3. All candidates for member- 
ship by deposit of Card, or as Ancient Odd Fellows, whose 
Cards have been granted more than twelve months, shall 
deposit their Card with the proposition, or furnish satis- 
factory evidence that such Card has been lost, which shall 
be referred to a committee of three, and in other respects 
disposed of as provided by Section 2 for other applicants. — 
Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

154. Proposition. — Sec. 2. A lady candidate for mem- 
bership in this Lodge must, if she is the wife or widow of 
an Odd Fellow, be proposed by a member; in all other 
cases she must be proposed as required in the preceding 
Section. The proposition must be in writing, and signed 
by the candidate, and must state her name and residence, 
and the name, number and location of the Subordinate 
Lodge in which the husband, father, or brother is (or, 
if dead, was at the time of death) a member in good 
standing. In the case of an unmarried sister or daughter, 
the proposition must also state that she is more than eigh- 
teen years of age. Such proposition shall forthwith be 
referred to a committee of three sisters, who shall report 
thereon at the next regular meeting, when the candidate 
shall be balloted for with ball ballots, and if less than three 
black balls be cast she shall be elected; otherwise she shall 
be rejected, and so declared. 



20 BALLOT. 



How made. — Sec. 3. An application for membership in 
this Lodge of a Scarlet Degree member mnst be made 
in writing, stating the name, age, residence, and be 
accompanied by a certificate of good standing in the Sub- 
ordinate Lodge of which he is a member, and said appli- 
cation shall be disposed of as provided in the next preced- 
ing Section, except that in all cases there shall be at least 
one brother of the Lodge on the Investigating Committee. — 
Art. iv., Const. Eeb. L. 

155. Proposition. — Sec. 2. The name of a brother offered 
for admission to membership must be proposed by a mem- 
ber, in writing, stating his name, residence, and the Sub- 
ordinate Lodge of which he is a member; the proposition 
shall be entered on the record and referred to three brothers 
for investigation, who shall report at the succeeding regular 
meeting, when the candidate shall be balloted for with ball 
ballots, and if not more than two black balls appear against 
him he shall be elected, but if three or more appear he shall 
be rejected, and so declared. — Art. iii., Const. Deg. L. 

156. On a ballot the Noble Grand must declare the 
result— 1867, pp. 142, 152; 1874, pp. 39, 161, 225. 

157. If the By-laws of a Lodge so provide, the Vice 
Grand of the Lodge may make known the result of the 
ballot.— 1868, pp. 268, 269, 270; 1874, pp. 39, 161, 225. 

158. It is both proper and legal for the Vice Grand in 

a Lodge to examine the ballot on membership. — 1868, p. 
272; 1874, pp. 39, 161, 225. 

159. When the Noble Grand knows that illegal votes 
have been cast he may declare the ballot to be void. — 1876, 
pp. 505, 659, 664. 

160. A brother at whose request had been excused by 
the Lodge from voting, who afterwards votes, the same is 
a legal ballot, and the Lodge has no right to reject it. — 
1875, pp. 303, 438, 441. 

161. An informal ballot is not recognized in a Lodge, 
and should not be countenanced by our Lodges. — 1875, pp. 
308, 438, 441. 



BALLOT. 21 



162. All members, if qualified, are required to vote on 
a ballot for candidates, and on all questions coming before 
the Lodge, unless excused by the Lodge. — 1874, pp. 36, 
161, 210. 

163. In voting for the degrees, if a majority of the 
brethren of the degree by a ballot authorize the same, a 
certificate shall be given to the applicant. — 1871, pp. 24, 
99, 100. 

164. In balloting for initiation or degrees the Noble 
Grand should cast his ballot same as other members, and 
the Vice Grand should examine the ballots for degrees in 
the same manner as for initiation. — 1891, pp. 96, 254. 

165. A ballot for degrees must be taken separately 
for each degree, and there is no limitation of time in which 
the application for the degrees must be made. A majority 
vote is all that is required on the application, and not more 
than one degree shall be granted or conferred at the same 
meeting without dispensation therefor; and no brother can 
be given any degree unless he shall pass satisfactory ex- 
amination in the Work already received. Every dispensa- 
tion must name the candidate, the degree required, and the 
date thereof.— 1891, pp. 96, 254. 

RECONSIDERATIONS. 

166. A reconsideration of an unfavorable ballot can be 
had only where all brothers who have cast black balls 
against the applicant for membership voluntarily make a 
motion for the reconsideration of the ballot; in such case 
the vote on the reconsideration shall be by ball ballots, and 
if all the balls cast shall be in favor of it, the reconsidera- 
tion shall be had; whereupon the application shall lie over 
till the succeeding regular meeting, when another ballot 
shall be had, with ball ballots, and if the same be unani- 
mously in favor of the applicant he shall thereby be de- 
clared elected; but if one or more black balls appear in 
either ballot the applicant shall be rejected; and never 
more than one reconsideration in the same case shall be 
allowed. Provided always, that such reconsideration shall 
be had within the four meeting nights succeeding the rejec- 
tion. A favorable ballot can be reconsidered at any meet- 
ing prior to the admission of the candidate, provided a 



22 



BENEFITS. 



majority of the members voting agree thereto. — Sec. 4, 
Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

167. 'Rejections. — Sec. 4. When the petition of a candi- 
date for membership in this Lodge has been rejected, a 
reconsideration of the ballot can be effected only as follows : 

Reconsideration. — 1st, When all members who cast black 
balls shall at the same or next succeeding regular meeting 
move for such reconsideration. 

How taken. — 2d, The vote on reconsideration must be 
taken by ball ballot, and if no black ball appear therein 
the reconsideration shall be had. 

Lies over. — 3d, The petition shall then lie over till the 
next succeeding regular meeting, when a final ballot shall 
be had, with ball ballots, and if all the ballots appear white 
the candidate shall be elected, but if one or more black balls 
appear the candidate shall be rejected; and never more 
than one reconsideration in the same case shall be allowed. 
— Art. iv., Const. Eeb. L. 

168. A reconsideration of a favorable ballot can be 
made at any meeting prior to the admission of the candi- 
date, although a motion to reconsider has already been 
made and decided by the Lodge in the negative. — 1871, pp. 
23, 100. 

169. The reconsideration of a favorable ballot, under 
Section 4, Article ii., Constitution of Subordinate Lodges, 
must be held by ball ballots.— 1892, pp. 587, 588. 

170. Where a Withdrawal Card has been granted to a 
brother the vote cannot be reconsidered by the Lodge. The 
brother must be proposed and balloted for the same as any 
other wishing to join by Card. — 1893, pp. 41, 142. 



BENEFITS. 



171. In Subordinates. — Sec. 4. Every member, qualified as 
required by the By-laws, shall, in case of being disabled by 
sickness, bodily accident, or mental infirmity from follow- 
ing his usual occupation, or otherwise earning a livelihood, 
be entitled to and receive such weekly benefits from the 
funds of the Lodge as may be fixed by its By-laws, which 
shall not be less than two dollars per week; provided, 



BENEFITS. 23 



however, that Subordinate Lodges may provide by their 
By-laws that when a member has received continuous full 
benefits for one year, the weekly benefit thereafter to such 
member may be fixed at not less than one dollar per week. 
And it shall not be competent for the Lodge to suspend a 
member from benefits for non-payment of dues while on 
the sick list, provided an amount of weekly benefits be due 
to and not received by him sufficient to pay his arrearages 
and keep him in good standing. 

Sec. 5. In case of the death of a member qualified as in 
the last Section, there shall be allowed from the Lodge not 
less than fifteen dollars to defray the expenses of burial, 
to be paid by the Noble Grand on account of the funeral. 
In case of the death of the wife of a member qualified as 
above, the amount of funeral expenses, if any, shall be 
such as may be provided by the By-laws of the Lodge. 

Sec. 6. In all cases where funeral benefits are provided 
for by a Lodge, said funeral benefits shall be paid as the 
By-laws of the Lodge shall direct. 

Sec. 7. The benefits provided in the last three Sections 
shall be dependent upon and recoverable only through the 
methods provided in the Constitution, By-laws, rules, and 
regulations of the Order, to wit: trial in the Lodge, appeal 
to the Lodge, to the District Grand Committee, to the 
Grand Lodge, and, unless permission be refused by that 
body, to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Any resort to the 
civil courts, until all these remedies are exhausted, shall 
render any right or claim to any of the benefits provided 
in Sections 4, 5, and 6 null and void. — Art. iv., Const. Sub. L. 

172. In Rebekahs. — Sec. 1. This Lodge may pay and 
disburse from its funds, for the relief of the sick, the desti- 
tute, or the distressed, from time to time, such sums as a 
majority of the members present at any stated meeting 
shall by vote determine. 

Sec. 2. The Lodge may also provide for the payment of 
regular weekly benefits to members such sums as the By- 
laws prescribe. — Art. vi., Const. Reb. L. 

173. Weekly benefits must be fixed by the By-laws of 
the Lodge ; what amount is for the Lodge to determine. — 
1867, pp. 84, 153. 

174. A Lodge can make no distinction as to benefits 
between resident and non-resident members. — 1868, p. 269. 



24 BENEFITS. 



175. A member of the State Senate, while absent from 
his home in the discharge of his duties as Senator, is not 
a non-resident, and is not bound to conform to the require- 
ments in giving notification of application for benefits that 
are necessary in cases of non-residents. — 1869, pp. 340, 402, 
405, 410. 

176. A brother taken sick within the six months after 
his initiation, and who remains so, becomes a beneficial 
member at the expiration of the six months, the disability 
being removed by the expiration of the probation fixed by 
the By-laws.— 1867, pp. 80, 153. 

177. It is not competent for a Lodge to provide by By- 
law that the Noble Grand shall have the privilege of send- 
ing to a sick member a medical adviser and deduct the 
expense thereof from his benefits. — 1868, pp. 268, 269, 270. 

178. A brother applied to the Secretary of his Lodge 
to know the amount of his dues; he was told the amount, 
which he paid ; the Secretary erred in the amount ; he was 
taken sick. It was held that the Lodge was liable for the 
mistake of the Secretary and the brother entitled to his 
benefits.— 1873, pp. 398, 468, 471. 

179. A Lodge that had been paying a member sick 
benefits afterward stopped the same, on the ground that 
his sickness was caused by using intoxicating drinks. . No 
charges having been made against the member, and his 
dues being received by the Lodge, he made claim for all 
arrearages of benefits. It was decided that it was too late 
for the Lodge to raise the question of "sickness caused by 
the use of intoxicating drinks," and must pay the benefits 
due the brother.— 1873, pp. 395, 468, 471. 

180. The suicide of a brother who was entitled to bene- 
fits does not deprive his family of any benefits to which he 
or they were entitled by the By-laws of his Lodge. — 1871, 
pp. 19, 100. 

181. A Lodge cannot set off any claim it may have 
against a deceased member, so as to deprive his widow 
from funeral benefits.— 1878, pp. 276, 277, 375. 



BENEFITS. 25 



182. The family of a deceased brother cannot be en- 
titled to funeral benefits when the brother paid up his dues 
while in his last illness, having previously been in arrears 
to the Lodge.— 1868, p. 272. 

183. The bad character of the widow of a deceased 
member does not relieve the Lodge from paying her the 
funeral benefits allowed by the By-laws of the Lodge. — 
1874, pp. 38, 161. 

184. A brother is not entitled to funeral benefits on the 
death of his wife unless he is at the time in good standing 
on the books of his Lodge, and entitled himself to sick 
benefits. In such a case no funeral benefits could be 
allowed in case of either his death or that of his wife. — 
1871, pp. 31, 107. 

185. A member of a Lodge, who is at no expense for 
the burial of his wife, is not entitled to the funeral benefit. 
—1876, pp. 562, 659, 660, 672. 

186. An executor of the estate of a deceased brother 
has no claim against his Lodge for the funeral benefit. — 
1877, pp. 13, 156. 

187. A brother while in a state of mental derange- 
ment attempts to commit suicide is entitled to benefits 
from his Lodge.— 1875, pp. 311, 438, 441. 

188. Pending an appeal to the Grand Lodge on the 
part of the Lodge, the Lodge must pay the brother sick 
benefits clue or becoming due. — 1875, pp. 304, 305, 438, 441. 

189. Pending the determination of charges the brother, 
if otherwise qualified, is entitled to benefits. — 1879, pp. 
558, 599. 

190. After the expulsion of a member of a Lodge, all 
moneys due the brother for benefits prior to his expulsion 
must be paid to him by his Lodge. — 1879, pp. 558, 599. 

191. When a brother is in arrears to his Lodge he is 
entitled to, and it is the duty of the Sick Committee of his 
Lodge to visit him, and to report his condition to the 
Lodge.— 1873, pp. 398, 468, 471. 



26 BENEFITS. 



192. A Lodge has the right to reduce the amount of 
sick benefits by amendment to the By-laws, and all mem- 
bers are governed by the same. The reduction applies to 
all, whether sick or well, and it makes no difference 
whether a brother has a Visiting Card or not at the time. 
—1875, p. 420. 

193. A Lodge has no claim against a sister Lodge for 
money paid by them to a sick or destitute member who 
was not a beneficial member of his own Lodge. — 1875, pp. 
307, 438, 441. 

194. Where a brother absent from his Lodge's loca- 
tion is taken sick, his Lodge has the rigat to demand from 
the brother a physician's certificate of his sickness before 
paying him his benefits.— 1876, pp. 569, 659, 664. 

195. The non-payment of fines does not debar a brother 
from benefits if otherwise beneficial ; but if the By-laws do 
not otherwise provide, the brother is liable to charges and 
trial for contempt. — 1880, p. 126. 

196. A Lodge cannot limit the time that a brother who 
is sick shall be entitled to sick benefits. — 1890, pp. 334, 406. 

197. A Lodge may provide in its By-laws against pay- 
ing benefits for a fractional part of a week. If the By- 
laws are silent on the subject, a fractional part of a week 
should be paid for. — 1890, pp. 336, 406. 

198. Where a Visiting Committee reports a member 
sick and entitled to benefits, no motion for the payment of 
the benefits is necessary. It is the duty of the Noble Grand 
to order the payment thereof, unless a motion to the con- 
trary be adopted by the Lodge. — 1891, pp. 100, 254. 

199. A sick member at home, visited and reported on 
by the Visiting Committee, has no need to send to the 
Lodge a bill or statement of benefits due him; neither 
should he when away from home and in charge of a sister 
Lodge ; he should do it when away from home and not in 
charge of a Lodge. He should send to his Lodge evidence 
of his sickness, and a statement or bill of his claim for 
benefits. The Lodge may pass directly thereon, or refer 
the same for audit to the Finance Committee. — 1891, pp. 
100, 254. 



BENEFITS. 



27 



200. Old age and its ordinary disability from following 
usual occupation or earning a living, do not per se entitle 
a member to sick benefits ; but the fact of old age being 
coincident with or aggravating, or even producing sickness 
or mental infirmity, cannot extend the operation of the 
above rule so as to deprive such a member of the sick 
benefits to which he is entitled by such sickness or mental 
disability.— 1891, pp. 101, 254. 

201. A Lodge cannot enact a By-law requiring each 
member receiving sick benefits to present each week a 
physician's certificate of sickness or disability ; but if away 
from home and beyond the visiting jurisdiction of any 
Lodge, a physician's certificate may be required of him at 
reasonable intervals, and Lodge By-laws may so provide. — 
1891, pp. 101, 254. 

202. The By-laws of a Lodge provide, " a member in 
good standing," who has been twelve months in the Lodge, 
is entitled to sick benefits. The words "good standing" 
mean, owing not more than thirteen weeks' dues. Posses- 
sion of the Password is no evidence of good standing in 
the sense of qualifications for sick benefits. — 1891, pp. 101, 
254. 

203. A Lodge may provide in its By-laws for a lower 
rate of sick and funeral benefits for Initiatory, First, and 
Second Degree members than for Third Degree members. 
Where the By-laws do not specify such distinctions as be- 
tween members, all members are entitled to the same bene- 
fits, if in good standing and otherwise entitled thereto, 
whatever may be the degree to which either mav have at- 
tained.— 1891, pp. 102, 254. 

204. The payment of dues arrears, while sick, does not 
qualify the member for benefits during that sickness, if at 
the commencement of the sickness his arrears for dues 
were such as to disqualify him for benefits. — 1891, pp. 
102, 254. 

205. A sick member who was in arrears and not en- 
titled to benefits cannot be entitled to them because his 
Lodge has donated to him money from the funds of the 
Lodge. The By-laws must govern. — 1891, pp. 103, 254. 



28 BENEFITS. 



206. The By-laws of a Lodge provide, that a member 
in arrears for more than thirteen weeks' dues shall be dis- 
qualified from benefits for thirteen weeks after the payment 
of the arrears. A member, after paying his arrears, was 
taken sick. Held, he was entitled to benefits as provided 
by the By-laws when the thirteen weeks after paying up 
his arrears had expired, provided he remain sick after that 
period.— 1891, pp. 102, 103, 254. 

207. In the matter of sick visitation and burial of the 
dead, it is incumbent upon a Lodge to perform that duty 
for all its own members, for brothers whose Lodges place 
them in its charge, and for brothers whose sickness or 
death comes to its knowledge; provided, the sickness or 
death occurs within a reasonable distance of the Lodge. — 
1891, pp. 101, 254. 

208. It is competent for Lodges to provide in their 
By-laws that sick benefits shall not be paid until after a 
certain specified period of membership, or for the first week, 
or a specified number of weeks' sickness. Benefits should 
be paid without waiting for the sick and disabled brother 
to ask for them. The report of the member's sickness or 
disability and a verification by the Visiting Committee 
establish the member's right to sick benefits. Where a 
Lodge has no By-laws fixing rates and qualifications for 
sick benefits the Constitution of Subordinate Lodges must 
govern.— 1891, pp. 100, 254. 

209. A Lodge By-laws provide, " that a member thir- 
teen weeks in arrears for dues shall not be entitled to 
benefits." A member cannot be declared in arrears, sp as 
to be deprived of benefits, at the meeting which completes 
the thirteen weeks. He has all that evening to pay and 
avoid being in arrears. — 1891, pp. 102, 254. 

210. A member is entitled to benefits under the Subor- 
dinate Lodge Constitution, if by mental infirmity, affecting 
his judgment and memory, he be incapable of following 
his usual occupation, or otherwise earning a livelihood. 
Lodge By-laws cannot impair or limit the right of such 
member to full benefits as prescribed for members in cases 
of other sickness or disability, and the benefits must be 
paid for the full period of his disability. As such mem- 
ber's rights are complete, whatever the Lodge By-laws, the 



BY-LAWS. 29 



Lodge will not have to amend those By-laws by adding the 
words "mental infirmity" to the words "sickness or acci- 
dent" in the paragraph relating to sick benefits; bnt it 
wonld be well to do so to avoid question as to members* 
rights.— 1891, p. 101; 1893, p. 92, 143. 

211. A Lodge cannot refuse to pay funeral benefits 
upon a report that the priest attending at the funeral an- 
nounced that the deceased brother had, on his dying bed, 
renounced the Order. The Lodge must have satisfactory 
proofs of such renunciation. The communication to his 
priest, if he made any, was a privileged communication,, 
and therefore cannot be accepted as evidence. — 1892, pp. 
474, 567. 

212. Where the By-laws so provide, members of the 
Initiatory, First, and Second Degrees are entitled to bene- 
fits.— 1892, pp. 474, 567. 

213. An officer can draw salary and also sick bene- 
fits if the Lodge so decides. — 1892, pp. 475,' 567. 

214. A sister Lodge having in charge a sick member 
of another Lodge has no right to pay such sick member 
benefits after they are duly notified by his Lodge to pay 
him no more benefits. — 1892, pp. 582, 583. 



BY-LAWS. 



215. Grand Lodge. — Sec. 1. The Grand Lodge may 
adopt By-laws in conformity with this Constitution, which 
shall not be altered, repealed, or amended, unless the 
proposition for such alteration, repeal, or amendment be 
proposed in writing at an annual session, and, if seconded, 
the same shall be entered on the minutes. At the next 
annual session the proposition shall be considered, and if 
agreed to by two-thirds of the Eepresentatives present 
shall become part of the By-laws. — Art. vii., Const. G. L. 

216. Subordinate Lodges. — Sec. 1. This Lodge shall be 
competent to make, alter, or amend such By-laws, rules, 
and regulations, from time to time, as may be deemed ex- 



30 BY-LAWS 



pedient, if adopted by two-thirds of those present, after 
having been read at the two meetings immediately preced- 
ing action thereon; provided that they do not in anywise 
contravene this Constitntion, or the Constitution, By-laws, 
or regulations of the Grand Lodge of the State of New 
York, or of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the I. 0. O. F. 

Sec. 2. The By-laws of this Lodge are in force from the 
time of their adoption, subject to the approval of the Grand 
Lodge; and the manuscript copy of such By-laws shall, 
before being printed, be transmitted to the Grand Secre- 
tary, to be submitted to the Committee on Laws for cor- 
rection. When printed, an official copy shall be deposited 
with the Grand Secretary, duly authenticated by the seal 
of the Lodge and signature of the Secretary. — Art. ix., 
Const. Sub. L. 

217. Degree Lodges. — Sec. 2. This Degree Lodge is 
invested with power to adopt such By-laws and resolutions 
as may be deemed expedient, provided said By-laws and 
resolutions shall be in accordance with these Articles, the 
Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge, and the 
principles of the Order. — Art. vi., Const. Deg. L. 

218. Rebekah Lodges. — Sec. 2. It shall have power to 
establish such By-laws and Eules of Order, not inconsist- 
ent with the laws of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, the 
Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and the rules, 
usages, and general regulations of the Order, as it shall 
deem proper, subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge 
of the State of New York, and may by a two- third vote of 
the members present amend the same from time to time, 
subject to the like approval; but amendments must be pro- 
posed in writing, and lie over at least one meeting before 
action thereon. 

Sec. 3. Such By-laws and Rules of Order are in force 
from the time of their adoption, subject to the approval of 
the Grand Lodge; and a manuscript copy of such By-laws 
and Eules of Order shall, before being printed, be trans- 
mitted to the Grand Secretary, to be submitted to the Com- 
mittee on Laws for correction. — Art. i., Const. Reb. L. 

219. All amendments to By-laws of a Subordinate 
Lodge should be sent to the Committee on Laws as soon 
after their adoption as practicable. — 1867, pp. 84, 153. 



CARDS. 31 



220. When a proposition to amend the By-laws of a 
Lodge comes regularly before the Lodge for consideration, 
definite action must be taken thereon without postpone- 
ment. 

An amendment to the By-laws being under consideration, 
when new matter shall be offered as an amendment to the 
amendment, the proposition so offered must lie over for 
the period specified in the By-laws before final action can 
be taken thereon. 

A Lodge cannot, by resolution or motion, suspend the 
operation of a By-law.— 1867, pp. 142, 152; 1876, pp. 567, 
659, 664. 

221. A Lodge has the right to make drunkenness an 
object for penalty, but it is not necessary that it should be 
defined as habitual. — 1871, p. 101. 

222. No By-law can be in any way suspended, altered, 
or repealed, except by amendment thereto, regularly pro- 
posed and adopted. An amendment, proposed and pending, 
may be withdrawn only by consent of the Lodge. — 1891, 



pp. 87, 254. 



CARDS. 

223. Grand Lodge Cards or Certificates. — Sec. 10. Mem- 
bers of a suspended or expelled Lodge, or of a Lodge whose 
Charter has been surrendered or forfeited, who were in good 
standing at the time of such suspension or dissolution, or 
may have paid to the Grand Lodge all arrearages due the 
Lodge, shall, upon the recommendation of the Grand Com- 
mittee of the District in which such suspended or extinct 
Lodge was located, receive from the Grand Secretary a cer- 
tificate, under seal of the Grand Lodge, to enable them to 
make application for membership in another Lodge; pro- 
vided such members are not excluded by Section 5 or 7 of 
this Article. — Art. x., By-laws G. L. 

224. The Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge, 

when there is no Lodge in the county where the Lodge 
was located, are authorized to issue the Cards provided for 
by Section 10, Article x., of By-laws. — 1867, p. 158. 



32 CARDS. 



225. The Grand Secretary may issue Cards or certifi- 
cates to all members who may have been suspended for 
non-payment of dues in Lodges now extinct, upon proper 
application to him and paving therefor the sum of one 
dollar.— 1871, p. 101. 

226. A brother holding a Withdrawal Card may visit 
the Lodge granting said Card during the life of the Card, 
as he would visit any other Lodge. — 1885, pp. 197, 562. 

227. A member takes a Withdrawal Card ; he loses the 
same ; years afterwards he makes application for a dupli- 
cate. His Lodge has no right to grant one, the year it was 
valid having transpired. He ranks as an Ancient Odd 
Fellow. He is entitled to a certificate from his Lodge, duly 
signed and sealed, showing date of his initiation, the fact 
of his taking a Withdrawal Card and its date, and his rank 
in the Order at the time of his withdrawal. — 1891, pp. 97, 251. 

228. A Grand Lodge Card issued to a member of a 
defunct Lodge does not restore him to membership in the 
Order, but gives him the right to seek admission to any 
Lodge which will receive him. — 1891, pp. 97, 251. 

229. Rebekah Lodges.— Certificates.— Sec. 2. Certifi- 
cates for membership prepared by the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge shall be applied for in open Lodge, and shall be 
granted to the applicant on payment of a fee of fifty cents. 

Cards. — Sec. 3. When a member desires a Visiting Card 
from this Lodge the same may be granted on payment of 
the dues to the end of the time for which the same is 
desired, and twenty-five cents for the Card. 

Withdrawal. — Sec. 1. Withdrawal Cards maybe granted, 
by a vote (by ballot) of a majority of the members present 
at a regular meeting, to a member who may apply therefor 
in person or by letter, if in good standing, and paying for 
the Card twenty-five cents. — Art. v., Const. Eeb. L, 

230. The Noble Grand of a Lodge would be justified 
in refusing to sign a Card voted in violation of positive 
law. The Vice Grand's signature would not legalize a 
Card or paper requiring the Noble Grand's signature, who 
refuses to sign it. — 1867, pp. 81, 153. 



CARDS. 33 



231. A Lodge cannot legally refuse a Visiting Card to 
a brother in good standing and against whom no charges 
are pending, he having paid for the same. In case of re- 
fusal he may appeal from the action of the Lodge. — 1869, 
pp. 345, 404*, 407; 1871, p. 100. 

232. A brother who is not entitled to benefits may be 
entitled to a Visiting Card, but the Card should show that 
fact. — 1876, pp. 578, 579, 659, 664. 

233. A Lodge has no right to refuse a Withdrawal 
Card to a member who is clear of the books of the Lodge, 
who withdraws for the purpose of forming a new Lodge. — 
1871, pp. 20, 99. 

234. A brother is entitled to a Visiting Card who has 
paid np his arrearages and paid in advance for the time 
the Card has to run, although he is not entitled to benefits 
for three months after his arrearages have been paid. — 
1871, pp. 28, 107. 

235. A Lodge has no right to postpone acting on an 
application for Withdrawal Card. It must act forth- 
with.— 1878, pp. 274, 375. 

236. An illegal vote on a Withdrawal Card may be 
reconsidered by the Lodge, and if reconsidered the 
brother may withdraw his application. — 1879, pp. 560, 637. 

237. The difference between a Dismissal Certificate 
and Withdrawal Card is, that the Annual Traveling Pass- 
word accompanies the Withdrawal Card but not the Dis- 
missal Certificate. — 1876, pp. 567, 571, 659, 664. 

238. A brother of the Initiatory Degree, having re- 
ceived a Withdrawal Card from his Lodge, has only the 
right to deposit the same, or to visit in the Initiatory De- 
gree for one year from the date of his Card. For all other 
purposes he is out of the Order. His Lodge cannot by 
subsequent act elect him to the degrees and give an order 
on another Lodge to confer them, the same being void. — 
1891, pp. 97, 254. 

239. Officers of a Lodge have authority to grant 
Visiting Cards to members applying therefor out of Lodge 
session.— 1891, pp. 109, 254. 

3 



34 CERTIFICATES CHARGE BOOKS COMMITTEES. 



240. A brother who has taken a Withdrawal Card 
from his Lodge, but has not changed his residence from 
the town in which the Lodge is located, the Lodge in 
another town where he applies for deposit of Card must 
get the consent of the Lodge nearest his residence before 
they can receive him. — 1893, pp. 42, 142. 



CERTIFICATES. 



241. A Past Grand is entitled to a Certificate that he 
has served as Noble Grand a majority of the nights of his 
term, and that his chair has not been declared vacant, 
although charges have been preferred against him and are 
undetermined.— 1869, pp. 345, 404, 407; 1874, p. 164. 

242. A brother is entitled to a Dismissal Certificate 
although he may have been suspended from his Lodge for 
non-payment of dues ; upon his tendering the Lodge one 
dollar they must grant it. — 1875, pp. 438, 441. 



CHARGE BOOKS. 



243. A Noble Grand has not the right to lend the 
Charge Books to appointed officers, nor to members or offi- 
cers, to be taken out of the Lodge room, under any pre- 
tence or for any purpose. — 1871, pp. 20, 22, 99. 

244. Loss of Charge Books. — When a Lodge has lost a 
Charge Book intrusted to its official keeping it shall be the 
duty of the Grand Master to direct that charges be preferred 
against the party who is alleged as responsible for such 
loss ; and his Lodge shall try him, and if found guilty he 
shall be punished as the law may provide. An officer or 
member who may lose a Charge Book is liable to charges 
and speedy punishment. — 1877, pp. 161, 162. 



COMMITTEES. 
1. STANDING COMMITTEE OP GRAND OFFICERS. 

245. The Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge 

shall be composed of the elective Grand Officers, except 
the Grand Representatives, to act in the recess of the an- 



COMMITTEES. 35 



nual sessions of the Grand Lodge, and perform snch dnties 
as may be assigned to them. The Grand Master shall be 
chairman of said committee, and he may call meetings 
thereof at his discretion. — Sec. 4, Art. iii., Const. Gr. L. 

246. Subordinate Lodges. — Sec. 2. An application, as pro- 
vided in the first Section hereof, shall be presented to the 
District Grand Committee (if there be one established) in 
whose District the Lodge is proposed to be located, at any 
regular or special meeting thereof, and if the said Grand 
Committee approve of the same, the application, Charter 
fee, and certificate of approval shall be forwarded through 
the Grand Secretary to the Standing Committee, who shall, 
on the receipt thereof, have power to issue a Dispensation 
to open such Lodge, subject to confirmation at the next 
session of the Grand Lodge, in which case a regular Char- 
ter shall be issued; but no Dispensation to open a new 
Lodge shall be granted by the Standing Committee within 
two months before the annual session of this Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 3. In case of an application, as provided in the first 
Section, being made for a Lodge to be located in a county 
not embraced within the jurisdiction of a District Grand 
Committee, the Standing Committee shall have power to 
issue a Dispensation to open such Lodge, with the same 
effect as in the next preceding Section. — Art. vi., By-laws 

a. l. 

247. The Standing Committee have power, during the 
recess of the Grand Lodge, to restore to fellowship appli- 
cants for the resuscitation of an extinct Lodge of which they 
were formerly members. — Sec. 11, Art. x., By-laws Gr. L. 

248. The Standing Committee to reclaim Charters and 
effects of Rebekah Lodges. — In case of failure to make the 
returns required by law for three months after the 31st of 
December of each year of any Eebekah Lodge, it is their 
duty to declare their Charters forfeited, and to reclaim the 
Charters and effects of said Lodges. — 1878, p. 361, 362. 

249. The Standing Committee have power during re- 
cess to grant a Dispensation for the restoration of an ex- 
tinct Lodge upon a proper petition of members of the 
Lodge, subject to confirmation at the next succeeding ses- 
sion of the Grand Lodge, but not without. — 1867, p. 158; 
1872, pp. 308, 310. 



36 COMMITTEES. 



2. ANNUAL STANDING COMMITTEES. 

250. Sec. 1. There shall be appointed at each annual 
session the following standing committees from among the 
Eepresentatives present, subject to the approval of the 
Grand Lodge, viz. : 

1. Committee on Credentials. 

2. Committee on Election of Grand Officers. 

3. Committee on Finance. 

4. Committee on Correspondence. 

5. Committee on Appeals. 

6. Committee on Laws of Subordinates. 

7. Committee on Petitions. 

8. Committee on the State of the Order. 

9. Committee on Legislation. 

10. Committee of Judiciary. 

11. Committee on Certificates for Grand Lodge Degree. 

12. Committee on Eeturns of Subordinates. 

13. Committee on Necrology. 

14. Committee on Eebekah Degree. 

Sec. 2. The Committee on Credentials shall consist of 
three Representatives, to be appointed by the Grand Mas- 
ter prior to the session, whose duty it shall be to examine 
and report to the Grand Lodge on the election and eligi- 
bility of Eepresentatives, and the credentials shall be placed 
in the hands of the committee on or before the Tuesday 
succeeding the first Monday in August. 

Sec. 3. The Committee on Election of Grand Officers 
shall consist of nine Eepresentatives, who shall be ap- 
pointed by the presiding Grand Master at the opening of 
the session, whose duty it shall be to examine and canvass 
the returns of votes for Grand Officers, and report to the 
Grand Lodge the result thereof. Any five of them shall 
constitute a quorum of the committee. 

Sec. 4. The Committee on Finance shall consist of nine 
Eepresentatives, whose duty it shall be to examine and re- 
port on all accounts and claims against the Grand Lodge, 
previous to their being passed for payment by the Grand 
Lodge; audit all claims monthly during recess, not exceed- 
ing the annual appropriation therefor; examine the ac- 
counts of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer quar- 
terly, or whenever directed to do so by the Standing 
Committee of Grand Officers, and report the result of their 
examination immediately thereafter to the Grand Master; 
to make full report to the Grand Lodge of the result of 



COMMITTEES. 37 



their labors for the entire year, and the condition of the 
finances; ascertain and report at each annual session the 
amount required for the expenses of the Grand Lodge for 
the ensuing year; recommend the per capita tax necessary 
to be assessed, and suggest such measures of finance as 
they may deem expedient. Which said report the said 
committee are instructed to have printed, in sufficient 
number for the use of the Representatives, previous to ac- 
tion on the same. 

Sec. 5. The Committee on Correspondence shall consist 
of three Representatives, whose duty it shall be to examine 
and report on all correspondence of the Grand Lodge, and 
to perform all duties incident to their appointment or re- 
quired by the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 6. The Committee on Appeals shall consist of nine 
Representatives, whose duty it shall be to examine all ap- 
peals, and report thereon at the same or next session of 
the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 7. The Committee on Laws of Subordinates shall 
consist of five Representatives, one of whom shall under- 
stand the German language, whose duty it shall be to exam- 
ine and report on the By-laws of the Subordinate Lodges, 
Degree Lodges, Rebekah Lodges, and District Grand Com- 
mittees submitted to them; and also to examine and ap- 
prove of the Constitution and By-laws of Subordinates 
that may be submitted to them previous to their being 
printed, and to direct such alterations in the By-laws as 
will make them conform to the laws and regulations of the 
Order. 

Sec. 8. The Committee on Petitions shall consist of nine 
Representatives, whose duty it shall be to examine all peti- 
tions referred to them during the session, and to report to 
the Grand Lodge such action thereon as may be proper. 

Sec. 9. The Committee on the State of the Order shall 
consist of nine Representatives, who shall examine the re- 
ports of the Grand Master, Grand Secretary, Grand Rep- 
resentatives, District Deputy Grand Masters, and District 
Grand Committees, and also the minutes of the Standing 
Committee, so far as they relate to the state of the Order, 
and such other matters as may be referred to them, and 
report thereon to the Grand Lodge ; and they shall annually 
present to the Grand Lodge an exhibit of the condition and 
progress of the Order in this jurisdiction, and recommend 
such measures for the good of the Order as they from time 
to time shall judge proper. 



38 COMMITTEES. 



Sec. 10. The Committee on Legislation shall consist of 
nine Representatives, who shall examine and report on all 
proposed amendments to the Constitution, By-laws, Rules, 
and Regulations of this Grand Lodge, as well as amend- 
ments proposed to the Constitutions of Subordinate 
Lodges, Degree Lodges, District Grand Committees, and 
Rebekah Lodges, and such other matters as may properly 
be referred to them by the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master, 
and the Standing Committee. 

Sec. 11. The Committee of Judiciary shall consist of nine 
Representatives, who shall examine and report on all de- 
cisions governing this Grand Lodge and its Subordinates 
and Degree and Rebekah Lodges, or construing the Laws, 
Rules, and Regulations of the Order, made by the Grand 
Master or otherwise ; also to report on such questions of 
law as may be presented for decision by the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 12. The Committee on Certificates for the Grand 
Lodge Degree shall consist of five Representatives, to be 
appointed by the Grand Master two weeks prior to the an- 
nual session, whose duty it shall be to examine and report 
upon the certificates for membership in this Grand Lodge, 
as provided in Section 3, Article i. of the Constitution, and 
the certificates for such degree shall be placed in their hands 
on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in August. 

Sec. 13. The Committee on Returns of Subordinates 
shall consist of five Representatives, to be appointed by 
the Grand Master prior to the annual session, who shall 
examine and report on the returns of Subordinates, and 
shall report the names and numbers of Lodges that have 
not reported or have become extinct during the past year; 
and such returns of Subordinates shall be placed in their 
hands at least one month prior to the session of the Grand 
Lodge at which they are to report. 

Sec. 14. The Committee on Necrology shall consist of 
three Representatives, to be appointed prior to the annual 
session, who shall report upon the decease of officers, Rep- 
resentatives, and members of this Grand Lodge that may 
have come to their knowledge as having occurred during 
the previous twelve months. 

Sec. 15. There shall also be appointed at each annual 
session from among the Representatives a committee of five 
members, who shall be members in good standing of a Re- 
bekah Lodge subordinate to this Grand Lodge, to whom 
shall be referred all matters relating to the Rebekah De- 
gree and to Rebekah Lodges. — Art. iv., By-laws G. L. 



COMMITTEES. 39 



3. DISTRICT GRAND COMMITTEES. 

251. Sec. 1. Every county in which there are now sit- 
uated two or more Subordinate Lodges (except in the 
counties of New York, Kings, and Erie), having at least 
five Past Grands who are contributing members thereof, and 
every county when it shall contain two or more Lodges, 
and having the number of Past Grands with the qualifi- 
cation as above, shall be denominated a District, and the 
Past Grands in membership in said Lodges shall constitute 
the Grand Committee of the District. Provided, however, 
that the Grand Lodge may, at any annual session, con- 
solidate two adjoining Districts, may divide any county 
into two or more Districts, or attach one or more Lodges 
in any county to an adjoining District. 

Sec. 2. Every two or more counties, other than those 
mentioned in Section 1 of this Article, shall, by the Stand- 
ing Committee, be attached to some regular adjoining 
District; and any two such counties adjoining, having 
together Lodges and Past Grands as provided in said 
Section, shall be formed into a District by the Standing 
Committee. 

Sec. 3. The city and county of New York shall be divided 
into not less than four Districts, each District to be com- 
posed of such Lodges as the Grand Lodge shall determine. 

Sec. 4. The county of Kings shall be divided into not 
less than two Districts, each District to be composed of 
such Lodges as the Grand Lodge shall determine. 

Sec. 5. The county of Erie to be divided into not less 
than two Districts, each District to be composed of such 
Lodges as the Grand Lodge may direct. 

Sec. 6. The Rebekah Lodge or Lodges in each county 
working in any language shall be denominated a Rebekah 
District. No person shall be appointed D. D. G. M. of any 
Rebekah District, except a Past Grand or a Past Noble 
Grand of the Order in membership and in good standing 
in a Rebekah Lodge in the District. No system of Re- 
bekah District Grand Committees is authorized by this Sec- 
tion. — Art. vi., Const. G. L. 

252. Membership. — Sec. 1. To entitle a Past Grand to 
membership in a District Grand Committee, he shall pro- 
duce a certificate from a Subordinate Lodge in the District, 
showing that he is a Past Grand in good standing in such 
Lodge ; and must be in possession of the Past Noble 



40 COMMITTEES. 



Grand's Degree before seated. Each Subordinate Lodge 
shall give notice to the District Grand Committee of its 
District of the withdrawal, suspension, or expulsion of any 
Past Grand thereof. 

Sessions. — Sec. 2. The District Grand Committee shall 
hold regular sessions monthly, quarterly, or specially, as 
each may determine. The annual session of each District 
Grand Committee shall be held on the third Wednesday in 
March in each year, at such hour and place in the District 
as may be previously fixed upon by such committee ; or in 
default thereof by the D. D. G-. M. of the District. 

To make Bides. — Sec. 3. Each District Grand Committee 
shall have power to make rules for its own government, 
subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge; to recommend 
the granting of Charters or Dispensations for new Lodges 
to be located in the District; to consider, determine, and 
redress all appeals and grievances originating in the Dis- 
trict; to recommend the granting by the Grand Lodge of 
Dispensations for the admission or reinstatement into 
Lodges in the District of expelled members or members of 
expelled or suspended Lodges; to permit public lectures, 
addresses, and processions in the District ; and to provide 
for the necessary expenses of the meetings of such Grand 
Committee, and have such other powers as may hereafter 
be granted. Provided, that no power hereby granted shall 
prevent the Grand Lodge from exercising the same powers 
at its regular sessions as hereinafter provided; nor shall 
any District Grand Committee exercise any power out of 
its District, except over members of Lodges located in the 
District. 

Secretary. — Sec. 4. Each District Grand Committee shall, 
at each annual meeting, and as often as vacancies shall oc- 
cur, elect its own Secretary, who shall keep faithful min- 
utes of all meetings of the committee; issue all notices that 
may be ordered by the D. D. G. M., and file all appeals and 
other papers appertaining to the committee. He shall send 
to the Grand Lodge at each annual session, under the seal 
of the committee, a full report of the proceedings of the 
committee, and certify to the Grand Lodge, or any com- 
mittee thereof, such proceedings and papers in his posses- 
sion as may be required, and perform such other duties as 
may hereinafter be provided. 

Suspension of. — Sec. 5. Any District Grand Committee 
may be suspended from the exercise of its jurisdiction by 
the Grand Lodge for any violation or gross neglect or 



COMMITTEES. 41 



refusal to perform its duties, provided that charges specify- 
ing the offence shall first be submitted, and the same pro- 
ceedings taken as are hereinafter provided in the case of 
charges against Subordinate Lodges. A two-third vote 
of the Grand Lodge shall be necessary for suspension, 
which shall continue during the pleasure of the Grand 
Lodge. The effect of suspension shall be to deprive the 
members of such committee of the privileges of member- 
ship in the Grand Lodge. But the Grand Lodge may 
exempt from the effect of such suspension those who are 
shown not to have participated in the offence whereof the 
committee was convicted,- and place the Subordinate 
Lodges of the District under the jurisdiction of such mem- 
bers (provided there be five or more) as a Special Grand 
Committee, with such powers as the Grand Lodge may by 
resolution confer on them. 

Expenses of. — Sec. 6. Each District Grand Committee 
shall ascertain the probable amount of the expenses thereof, 
together with the indebtedness unprovided for, and assess 
the amount upon the Subordinate Lodges in the District, 
in proportion to the number of members each returned at 
the commencement of the term next preceding the time of 
such assessment, which shall forthwith be paid by each 
Lodge, after notice thereof of such assessment, to the 
Secretary of the District Grand Committee, who shall be 
charged with the receipt and disbursement thereof, and 
who shall render his accounts when required by the Grand 
Committee. The Secretary of the District Grand Com- 
mittee shall give a bond to the D. D. G. M. of the District in 
such form and penalty as he may approve of. 

Vote on Appeals. — Sec. 7. No member of a District Grand 
Committee shall vote in any case of appeal in which he has 
acted as counsel, or in which his Lodge is interested. — 
Art. v., By-laws G. L. 

253. A District Grand Committee cannot be formed in 
a county where there is but one Lodge. — 1871, pp. 25, 100. 

254. Past Grands not having the Semi- Annual Pass- 
word cannot be legally admitted to the meetings of a Dis- 
trict Grand Committee while the Semi- Annual Password 
is withheld from the Lodge as a penalty for non-payment 
of the Grand Lodge assessment. — 1867, pp. 83, 153. 

255. An expelled brother appealing to the District Grand 
Committee from the action of his Lodge expelling him 



42 COMMITTEES. 



is not entitled to a seat therein, except when his case is 
before the said committee, when he may be present to be 
heard in person or by counsel. — 1867, pp. 84, 153. 

256. Members not entitled to vote in District Grand 
Committee in any matter in which they are interested. — A 
Past Grand of a Lodge interested in an appeal cannot 
speak, vote, offer any resolution, appeal from the decision 
of the chair, or rise to a point of order, or do any act on 
the said appeal before the Grand Committee. — 1870, pp. 
548, 549. 

257. A Grand Committee may review and set aside 
the action of a Lodge on a question of law, where the deci- 
sion upon which the Lodge acted was clearly erroneous. — 
1870, pp. 548, 549. 

258. The seal of the District Grand Committee should 
be used by the D. D. G. M. in his official correspondence. — 
1869, pp. 342, 403, 406. 

259. The members of a District Grand Committee are 
not required to wear their regalia while in session, but it is 
highly improper for them to sit in session without wearing 
some badge to designate their rank. — 1869, pp. 343, 403, 406. 

260. Contempt. — There is no such offence as contempt 
of a District Grand Committee. — 1874, p. 167. 

261. A District Grand Committee has power to adjourn 
to a time certain. — 1867, pp. 81, 154, 155. 

262. In the absence of the D. D. G. M. at a meeting of 
the District Grand Committee a Past Grand may preside, 
and as such presiding officer may confer the Past Official 
Degree.— 1878, pp. 274, 375. 

263. On the examination of members present at the 
meeting of the District Grand Committee, a D. D. G. M. has 
the right to require of all members present the Password 
of the current term as well as the Password of the Noble 
Grand's Degree, and the Past Grands must give them. — 
1877, pp. 12, 13, 156, 157. 



COMMITTERS. 43 



264. When an appeal is before the District Grand 
Committee from the Lodge to which the D. D. G. M. be- 
longs he has the right to preside. — 1875, pp. 311, 438, 441. 

265. A District Grand Committee must make return, 
in any case tried before them, where an appeal has been 
taken to the Grand Lodge.— 1875, pp. 421, 422. 

266. The Secretary of a District Grand Committee 

enters upon the discharge of his duties as Secretary as 
soon as elected, unless otherwise provided by the By-laws 
of the committee. It is his duty to receive all assessments 
collected from the Lodges in the District. — 1879, p. 616. 

267. A District Grand Committee has no right to lay 
an assessment upon the Lodges in its District for the 
printing of circulars favoring the election of any officers of 
the Grand Lodge, or in respect to any controversy between 
members of the Order. — 1879, pp. 635, 636. 

268. A District Grand Committee has no right to issue 
a circular to Lodges in favor of their nominees for Grand 
Lodge Officers, although not under seal. — 1873, pp. 398, 
468, 471. 

269. In District Grand Committees all members are 
eligible for the office of D. D. G. M. A member may nomi- 
nate himself, and no recommendations for office shall be 
received from Lodges. — 1891, pp. 78, 254. 

270. A District Grand Committee can assess the 
Lodges of the District only for the expenses incident to its 
own management and meetings. — 1891, pp. 78, 254. 

271. The annual meeting of a District Grand Commit- 
tee must be held on the third Wednesday of March. If no 
hour or place shall have been designated by the District 
Grand Committee or its By-laws the D. D. G. M. may desig- 
nate the same ; notice of the same shall be given to each 
Lodge in the District.— 1891, pp. 78, 254. 

272. A District Grand Committee may create a Com- 
mittee on Appeals ; their report and decision are not final, 
but must be presented to the District Grand Committee for 
its action thereon. — 1891, pp. 77, 254. 



44 CORRESPONDENCE. 



273. A Past Grand holding an unexpired Withdrawal 
Card, having the Past Grand's Degree and the Annual 
Traveling Password, has a right to a seat in the District 
Grand Committee, but has no right to vote. — 1890, pp. 
336, 406. 

274. The Noble Grand's Degree may be conferred at a 

special meeting of a District Grand Committee upon a 
proper certificate of the eligibility of the applicant. — 1890, 
pp. 335, 406. 

275. The D. D. G. M. is the officer to preside at all meet- 
ings of a District Grand Committee when in session, and a 
Grand Master has no right to require him to surrender his 
chair to that officer, to the end that he may preside over 
the deliberations of said committee. The D. D. G. M. 
presiding at such a meeting is not regarded as the repre- 
sentative of the Grand Master while so presiding, but is 
acting as such presiding officer under the By-laws of the 
Grand Lodge.— 1891, pp. 53, 202, 218. 

276. A District Grand Committee has no power to 

assess for the purchase of regalia and jewel for the D. D. 
G. M. and his staff.— 1892, pp. 475, 567. 

277. A District Grand Committee has no right to levy 

an assessment on the Lodges of its district for hiring of 
carriages at funerals and to defray the expenses of anni- 
versaries and celebrations. — 1892, p. 592. 

278. In District Grand Committees only Past Grands 
are members. — 1891, pp. 78, 254. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 

279. It is improper for Lodges to interfere by com- 
munications under their respective seals in voting for can- 
didates for Grand Officers. Such voting does not belong 
to any but Past Grands, and such communications are for- 
bidden.— 1869, p. 393. 

280. Subordinate Lodges are prohibited from sending 
circulars or all documents of a character calculated or in- 
tended to influence the votes of members of the Order. — 
1876, pp. 657, 658. 



CREDENTIALS DEGREES. 45 



281. Subordinate Lodges are prohibited from trans- 
mitting any letters or circulars to sister Lodges or to 
members of the Order censuring the action of any officer 
or committee of the Grand Lodge. — 1877, pp. 93, 97. 



CREDENTIALS. 



282. For Grand Lodge. — To entitle a Past Grand to 
membership in this Grand Lodge he must produce a cer- 
tificate from the Subordinate Lodge of which he is a mem- 
ber, duly signed and sealed, certifying that he is a member 
in good standing; that he has been duly elected to and has 
served a regular term in the office of Noble Grand, and 
that he is entitled to membership in the Grand Lodge of 
the State of New York. — Sec. 3, Art. i., Const. G. L. 

283. Irregular Credentials will not be received from 
Regular or Proxy Representatives from any Lodge, and the 
Grand Secretary is instructed to notify each Lodge within 
the jurisdiction of such requirement. — 1866, p. 31. 

284. The Grand Lodge will refuse to confer the Grand 
Lodge Degree on applicants unless they present certificates 
properly signed and sealed. — 1866, p. 32. 

285. Imperfect Credentials or Certificates of Repre- 
sentatives shall be returned to the Lodge issuing them for 
correction, by the Grand Secretary .—1871, p. 121. 



DEGREES. 



286. District Grand Committees. — The District Deputy 
Grand Masters shall preside at all meetings of the District 
Grand Committees of their respective Districts, and pre- 
serve order and decorum therein, and enforce due observ- 
ance of the Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge; 
be the organs of the Grand Master with the Subordinates 
in their Districts ; have power to call special sessions of the 
District Grand Committees when necessary ; to grant dis- 
pensations to Subordinate Lodges in their Districts for 
granting certificates for more than one degree in less time 
than may be otherwise permitted, when the circumstances 
require or warrant it. They shall be responsible that the 



46 DEGREES. 



work of the Order is performed uniformly and strictly in 
accordance with the Rituals; confer the Official Degrees 
on past officers ; install the officers of the Lodges under 
their charge, or cause the same to he done by a competent 
Past Grand ; decide all questions of law that may be sub- 
mitted to them by Lodges, or members thereof, under their 
charge, and report semi-annually to the Grand Master 
thereof. They shall report forthwith to the Grand Master 
all cases of violation by Subordinates of the laws of the 
Grand Lodge, or of disobedience to its lawful commands, or 
of those of the District Grand Committee. And any D. D. 
G. M. may be removed from said office, by the Grand 
Master, for neglect of duty or refusal to perform the duties 
enjoined on said officer by law. No compensation shall be 
allowed by the Grand Lodge for the performance of any 
of the duties hereby assigned. — Sec. 12, Art.iii., By-laws G. L. 

287. May Confer. — It shall be lawful for the Subordinate 
Lodges, and they are hereby authorized, to confer the three 
degrees on their own members; also on the members of 
any other Lodge located in the same District, without fee, 
upon the deposit of the necessary certificate, accompanied 
by a request so to do. — Sec. 4, Art. vi., By-laws G. L. 

288. Eligibility for. — Sec. 1. Brothers who have been in 
membership one week shall be eligible to degrees, provided 
they are sufficiently acquainted with the unwritten work 
of the Initiatory Degree, so as to enable them to give the 
Password, Countersign, and Grip of said degree correctly; 
and no brother shall be advanced to a higher degree unless 
he is able to give correctly the Passwords, Signs, Tokens, 
and Grips of the degrees he has already received. Exami- 
nation of candidates for degrees must be conducted by the 
Noble Grand or Degree Master conferring such degrees, and 
not more than one degree shall be granted or conferred 
at the same meeting upon the same candidate, unless a 
dispensation be obtained therefor from the Grand Master, 
or his Deputy for the District, by the Lodge in which the 
candidate holds membership. 

Application for. — Sec. 2. Applications for election to the 
degrees of the Subordinate Lodge shall be accompanied 
with the amount of fees required therefor, which shall not 
be less than one dollar for each degree for the Lodge fund, 
and fifty cents each for the degree fee, whether conferred 
by the applicant's Lodge or by a Degree Lodge. 



DEGREES. 47 



Certificate for. — Sec. 3. Such applications shall be pre- 
sented to the Lodge when open in that order of business, 
if such be provided for; if not, then in the order of new 
business. Each certificate shall be granted and issued for 
one degree only. All business of the Lodge shall be trans- 
acted in the Degree of Truth and by members of that de- 
gree, except conferring the Initiatory and other degrees 
upon those previously elected to them. If a majority of 
the brethren present shall by ballot elect a brother to either 
degree, except the Initiatory, a certificate for such degree 
shall be given the applicant, addressed to a Degree Lodge 
or officer authorized to confer degrees, in the following 
form : 

I. O. O. F. 

Lodge, No State of New York. 

day of , 18.. 

To Degree Lodge, No .- 

This is to certify that Brother is a member of this 

Lodge, and has applied for the Degree, and has been duly 

authorized by a ballot of the brethren of the Third Degree of his Lodge 
to receive the same. 

In testimony whereof, witness our hands and the 
[ii. s.] seal of our Lodge. 

, N. G. 

Attest : , Sec. 

Renewal. — Sec. 4. When application is made for either 
of the Subordinate Degrees, and the same is rejected, in 
accordance with Section 2 of this Article, said application 
cannot be renewed for the space of four weeks after such 
rejection. — Art. v., Const. Sub. L. 

289. Past Official Degree may be conferred by the 
D. D. G. M. at any proper time or place upon those entitled 
to it, upon receiving from the candidate proper certificate 
for the same.— 1869, pp. 343, 403, 406. 

290. Certificates for degrees when granted by a Sub- 
ordinate Lodge should always be issued to the applicant, 
although the degrees may be conferred in the Lodge of the 
brother holding the certificate, by a Special Deputy who is 
a member of the same Lodge. The granting of the cer- 
tificate and the conferring of the degrees are separate and 
distinct exercises of power, and distinct and separate 
minutes are required to be kept. — 1873, pp. 394, 468, 471. 

291. The Noble Grand of a Subordinate Lodge must 
preside when balloting for degree certificates. — The au- 



48 DEGREE LODGES. 



thority of the Degree Master is defined in the dispensation 
issued to him by the D. D. Gr. M., and it does not extend to 
supervising the balloting for certificates for degrees. — 1873, 
pp. 397, 468, 471. 

292. A certificate for Past Official Degrees must be 
presented before they are conferred; but the officer may 
confer if he is satisfied by positive proof that the brother 
is entitled to them.— 1875, pp. 309, 439, 441. 

293. A brother who has paid his money for the de- 
grees, and who neglects to appear and receive them, can- 
not have his money returned, neither has he the right to 
have the same applied to the payment of his dues. — 1876, 
pp. 566, 659, 664. 

294. A brother cannot hold membership in two De- 
gree Lodges at the same time.— 1871, pp. 19, 99, 101 ; 
1874, p. 166. 

295. A brother is eligible to the office of Noble Grand 
of a Degree Lodge who holds membership in a Lodge in 
another District, provided he is a member of the Degree 
Lodge.— 1870, pp. 495, 551. 

296. The By-laws of a Degree Lodge provide that " no 
nomination should be received, unless the brother be pres- 
ent and signify his assent thereto in writing." On the 
night of election the brother was not present, and the 
Noble Grand ruled him out as a candidate for that reason. 
Held as error. The law only requires him to be present at 
the nomination, and not at the election. — 1871, pp. 27, 107. 

297. A Degree Master has no right to confer the de- 
grees at a place where there is no Lodge room and no 
Lodge in session, nor in a saloon, nor upon an intoxicated 
person. — 1876, pp. 565, 659, 664. 

298. When a Subordinate Lodge grants or confers 

degrees it should open and close in the Scarlet (Third) 
Degree.— 1871, pp. 20, 99. 



DEGREE LODGES. 

299. Pkeamble. — In order to promote uniformity and 
maintain efficiency in conferring the degrees of the Order 



DEGREE LODGES. 49 



of Odd Fellows, the Grand Lodge of the State of New 
York enacts the following Articles for the guidance and 
observance of those duly qualified brothers who are in- 
vested with the important duties of administering the rights 
and privileges of Degree Lodges within its jurisdiction. 

Aet. i. — Title and Poweks. — This Degree Lodge shall be 
constituted by at least five members qualified to preside at 

its meetings, and shall be known and greeted as " 

Degree Lodge, No. . ., I. O. O. F. of the State of New York," 
and shall possess the full powers and privileges of a Degree 
Lodge holding a valid Charter, duly granted and formally 
presented by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. 

Aet. ii. — Officeks • and Duties. — Sec. 1. The elective 
officers of this Degree Lodge shall consist of Degree 
Master, Deputy Degree Master, Secretary, and Treasurer, 
who shall serve a regular term each. When deemed neces- 
sary the Degree Lodge may elect a Permanent Secretary 
in addition, to serve twelve months. 

Sec. 2. The appointed officers shall consist of a Past 
Grrand, First and Second Assistant Deputy Degree Masters, 
Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, and Inside Guar- 
dian, who shall serve a regular term each. 

Sec. 3. Officers shall be elected at the last regular meet- 
ing in each term, and shall be installed at the first meeting 
in the succeeding term. 

Sec. 4. A brother shall not be eligible to the chair of 
Degree Master and Deputy Degree Master, or Past Grand, 
unless he shall have passed the Noble Grand's chair in a 
Subordinate Lodge. Any member of the Degree of Truth 
shall be eligible to all other offices, and any officer may be 
re-elected. 

D. M. to preside. — Sec. 5. The Degree Master shall pre- 
side at all meetings of the Degree Lodge, and shall enforce 
the laws and preserve order and decorum therein; he shall 
appoint all officers and committees not otherwise provided 
for; he is empowered to convene special meetings, subject 
to such rules as may be adopted by the Lodge; and shall 
perform all the duties prescribed by the rules, Charges, and 
regulations of the Order, and required by the nature of his 
office. 

D. D. M. to assist. — Sec. 6. The Deputy Degree Master 
shall assist the Degree Master in the Lodge; appoint a 
minority of committees of investigation on propositions 
for membership, and perform such other duties as may be 
required by the Degree Master; in the absence of the Degree 

4 



50 DEGREE LODGES. 



Master he shall preside, and perform all the duties of that 
officer. 

Secretary. — Sec. 7. The Secretary shall record the pro- 
ceedings of the Degree Lodge ; he shall keep the accounts 
between the Lodge and its members, and shall receive all 
moneys due, and pay the same over to the Treasurer, tak- 
ing his receipt therefor. He shall keep a register of the 
degrees conferred, specifying the date, the name of the 
brother, the Subordinate Lodge of which he is a member, 
and the degrees conferred, and transmit monthly to each 
Subordinate Lodge from which certificates may have been 
received a list of the degrees conferred on the several 
members of such Lodge. He shall prepare all reports re- 
quired by the Grand Lodge, and shall give such notice of 
special meetings as the Degree Master or Lodge may direct. 
For the discharge of these duties he shall receive such com- 
pensation as the Lodge may determine. 

Treasurer. — Sec. 8. The Treasurer shall receive from the 
Secretary all moneys paid into the Degree Lodge; pay all 
orders drawn on him signed by the Degree Master and 
countersigned by the Secretary; keep a correct account of 
all moneys by him received and paid, and make a report 
thereof at the end of his official term. He shall give such 
security as may be required by the Lodge prior to entering 
on the duties of his office, and shall deliver to his successor 
all books, papers, and moneys belonging to the Lodge. 

Appointed Officers. — Sec. 9. The appointed officers of this 
Degree Lodge shall perform such duties as appertain to 
their respective offices under the regulations of the Order, 
subject to the direction of the Degree Master. 

Vacant. — Sec. 10. Any officer who shall neglect the per- 
formance of his duties for three successive meetings, his 
seat may be declared vacant by a two-third vote of the 
Degree Lodge. Vacancies in any elective office may be 
filled at the next regular meeting of the Lodge. 

Art. hi. — Membership. — Qualification. — Sec. 1. No per- 
son shall be admitted to or retained in membership in this 
Degree Lodge who has not attained the Degree of Truth, 
and who is not at the time a regular contributing member 
of a Subordinate Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand 
Lodge of the State of New York. 

Proposition. — Sec. 2. The name of a brother offered for 
admission to membership must be proposed by a member, 
in writing, stating his name, residence, and the Subordi- 
nate Lodge of which he is a member; the proposition shall 



DEGREE LODGES. 51 



be entered on the record and referred to three brothers for 
investigation, who shall report at the succeeding regular 
meeting, when the candidate shall be balloted for with ball 
ballots, and if not more than two black balls appear against 
hmi he shall be elected, but if three or more appear he 
shall be rejected and so declared. 

Dues, etc. — Sec. 3. Each member, on signing the Consti- 
tution, shall pay such admission fee as the By-laws provide, 
and shall contribute to the Degree Lodge fund at least 
twenty-five cents per annum, as the By-laws may deter- 
mine. Any member who may neglect or refuse payment 
of his dues for the space of twelve months shall be sus- 
pended from membership therein. 

Authority. — Sec. 4. This Degree Lodge shall exercise no 
further authority over its members than may be necessary 
to enforce a due obedience to the laws and regulations of 
the Lodge. For offending against any of these Articles, or 
the By-laws made pursuant thereto, a member may be 
fined, reprimanded, suspended, or expelled, as the enormity 
of the offence may warrant. 

Trial. — Sec. 5. Every member shall be entitled to a fair 
trial for any penal offence with which he may be charged, 
which shall in all respects be conducted in the manner pre- 
scribed by law for the presentation and trial of charges in 
a Subordinate Lodge. 

Appeal. — Sec. 6. A member of a Degree Lodge shall be 
entitled to an appeal from its decision on charges against 
him to the Grand Lodge. He shall, within twenty days 
after final action of the Lodge, file with the Secretary a 
notice of his appeal and the grounds thereof, whereupon 
the officers of the Lodge shall, without delay, transmit 
said notice, together with a certified copy of the charges, 
evidence, report, and proceedings relating to the subject- 
matter of the appeal, under seal, and suitably indorsed, to 
the Grand Secretary. On receipt thereof the Grand Secre- 
tary shall forward the same to the Committee on Appeals 
of the Grand Lodge, before whom the parties to the appeal 
shall be entitled to a hearing and a full review of the case, 
in accordance with the rules of the Order. 

Art. iv. — Work of Lodge. — Sec. 1. This Degree Lodge 
will confer on brothers in regular membership, under the 
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, 
the First Degree or the Degree of Friendship, the Second 
Degree or the Degree of Brotherly Love, and the Third 
Degree or the Degree of Truth. 



52 DEGREE LODGES. 



Sec. 2. Previous to a degree being conferred on any 
brother in this Degree Lodge, he shall present a certificate 
from his Lodge in the following form, viz.: 

I. O. O. F. 

Lodge, No State of New York. 

day of , 18 . . 

To Degree Lodge, No : 

This is to certify that Brother is a member of this 

Lodge, and has applied for the Degree, and has been duly 

authorized by a ballot of the brethren of the Third Degree of his Lodge 
to receive the same. 

In testimony whereof, witness our hands and the 
[l. s.] seal of our Lodge. 

, N. G. 

Attest : , Sec. 

Sec. 3. This Degree Lodge, on the invitation of a Sub- 
ordinate Lodge or Lodges in its own District, or in any 
District in which there is not a Degree Lodge located, may 
hold a special meeting as requested, for the purpose of 
conferring the three Subordinate Degrees on brothers pre- 
senting legal certificates; provided, however, said invi- 
tation shall be indorsed by the D. D. Gr. M. of the District 
in which such Lodge or Lodges may be located. In no 
case shall a Degree Lodge or its officers confer more than 
one degree upon each candidate at the same meeting, 
unless authorized by a legal dispensation granted to the 
Lodge in which the candidate holds membership. 

Sec. 4. The fees for conferring degrees shall be fifty 
cents each, to be paid by the Lodge granting the certificate 
to the Degree Lodge conferring the degree. 

Aet. v. — Teems and Eetuens. — Sec. 1. Degree Lodge 
terms shall be one year, and shall commence on the first 
stated meeting in January each year. 

Sec. 2. The officers of this Degree Lodge shall, at the 
expiration of their term of office, prepare and present to 
the D. D. Gr. M., or duly appointed installing officer, a full 
report of the work of the term, setting forth the names of 
brothers on whom degrees have been conferred, and the 
Subordinate Lodges of which they were respectively mem- 
bers; the names of brothers admitted as members; the 
names of those rejected, suspended, and expelled, and the 
cause thereof; the names of members who have died dur- 
ing the term; the whole number in membership; the 
amount of receipts and expenses, and balance on hand; 
together with the names and residences of the officers who 
shall have been elected for the ensuing term. Said report 



DEGREE LODGES. 53 



shall also be accompanied by whatever amount may be 
due the Grand Lodge, pursuant to Section 2, Article viii. 
of its By-laws. 

Sec. 3. Should this Degree Lodge fail to make report 
of its work, as required in the preceding Section of this 
Article, for two successive terms, or should it fail to hold 
regular meetings in rooms designated for that purpose for 
a period of twenty-six weeks, it shall thereby forfeit its 
Charter. In the event of such forfeiture, it shall.be the 
duty of the last-installed officers of the Lodge to surrender 
to the D. D. G. M., or to such Special Deputy as may be 
duly appointed, the Charter, books, funds, and property of 
the Lodge. 

Sec. 4. Should this Degree Lodge violate or evade the 
provisions of this Constitution or the laws of the Grand 
Lodge, it shall be liable to charges and trial, which shall be 
preferred and conducted in the manner prescribed in Sec- 
tion 3, Article x. of the By-laws of the Grand Lodge. 

Akt. vi. — Amendments and By-laws. — Sec. 1. These 
Articles, or any part thereof, shall be altered, amended, 
suspended, or annulled only in the manner provided in 
Section 7, Article vi. of the By-laws of the Grand Lodge 
for amendment of the Constitution of Subordinate Lodges. 

Sec. 2. This Degree Lodge is invested with power to 
adopt such By-laws and resolutions as may be deemed ex- 
pedient, provided said By-laws and resolutions shall be in 
accordance with these Articles, the Constitution and By- 
laws of the Grand Lodge, and the principles of the Order. — 
Const. Deg. L. 

300. A brother cannot hold membership in two De- 
gree Lodges or two Rebekah Lodges at the same time. If 
he wishes to become a Charter member of another Degree 
Lodge he must first resign his membership in his own 
Degree Lodge.— 1871, pp. 19, 99 ; 1874, p. 166. 

301. A brother belonging to a Lodge in one District 

can hold the office of Noble Grand of a Degree Lodge in 
another, provided he is a member of said Degree Lodge.— 
1870, pp. 495, 551. 

302. A Degree Master has no right to confer the 
Degrees at a place where there is no Lodge room and no 
Lodge in session, nor in a saloon, nor upon an intoxicated 
person. — 1876, pp. 565, 659, 664. 



54 DUES AND FEES. 



DUES AND FEES. 

303. Sec. 1. Each Subordinate Lodge shall pay to the 
Grand Lodge the amount assessed at the annual session 
forthwith, upon being notified thereof by the Grand 
Secretary. 

Sec. 2. Each Degree Lodge shall pay to the Grand Lodge, 
semi-annually, all surplus funds remaining in the right of 
said Lodge over and above the sum of five hundred dol- 
lars, whether in the nature of cash, loan, stock, or other 
property or investment ; provided, that any Degree Lodge 
may possess and retain any quantity of regalia, emblems 
and furniture requisite for a Degree Lodge. — Art. viii., 
By-laws G. L. 

304. Sec. 1. The fees and dues of this Lodge shall not 
be less than five dollars for initiation ; three dollars for 
admission by Card or Grand Lodge Certificate ; five dol- 
lars for an Ancient Odd Fellow ; one dollar and fifty cents 
for each degree, and such dues to the Lodge fund as shall 
be determined by the By-laws. In addition to which the 
Lodge may, by its By-laws, provide for a Widow and 
Orphan Fund, an Education Fund, and Funeral Tax, and 
for extraordinary assessments for Lodge purposes. 

Sec. 2. The regular contributions to the Lodge fund 
shall be at a rate not less than five cents per week, to be 
determined by its By-laws, as well as the amount for 
Education Fund and Funeral Tax. 

Sec. 3. The dues of members of a Lodge accrue weekly, 
and its By-laws must express the amount at a given rate 
per week. — Art. iv., Const. Sub. L. 

305. Sec. 3. Each member, on signing the Constitution, 
shall pay such admission fee as the By-laws provide, and 
shall contribute to the Degree Lodge fund at least twenty- 
five cents per annum, as the By-laws may determine. Any 
member who may neglect or refuse payment of his dues 
for the space of twelve months shall be suspended from 
membership therein. — Art. iii., Const. Deg. L. 

306. Sec. 4. The fees for conferring degrees shall be fifty 
cents each, to be paid by the Lodge granting the certificate 
to the Degree Lodge conferring the degree. — Art. iv., Const. 
Deg. L. 



DUES AND FEES. 



307. The admission fee fixed by the Lodge must be 
paid by the member, and he is not eligible to office until 
the same is paid. — 1891, pp. 90, 254. 

308. Sec. 1. Every applicant for membership, either by 
initiation or by Card, shall be charged an initiation fee of 
not less than one dollar, to be provided for in the By-laws ; 
and each member shall pay into the treasury such dues as 
may be fixed by the By-laws, payable quarterly in advance. 

Sec. 5. Any member suspended for non-payment of dues 
may be reinstated upon payment of a sum which shall not 
be less than one year's dues, provided two-thirds of the 
members present vote (by ballot) for such reinstatement. 

Sec. 6. When any member of a Eebekah Lodge shall 
neglect or refuse to pay the dues fixed by the By-laws for 
the space of one year, the Secretary shall report the same 
to the Noble Grand, and, unless the Lodge otherwise direct, 
such member shall thereupon be suspended (he or she hav- 
ing been first notified of the action that would be taken), a 
record of which shall be made upon the minutes. To sus- 
pend a member the Lodge must formally declare him or 
her to be suspended. — Art. v., Const. Eeb. L. 

309. A proposition fee, deposited with the proposition 
on application for membership, cannot morally nor legally 
be retained, but must be returned to the candidate in case 
the application is withdrawn or candidate is rejected. — 
1869, pp. 340, 402, 405. 

310. The Charter members of a Lodge are not required 
to pay any admission fee. Pa}^ment of admission or in- 
itiation fee is required from those elected to membership. 
Charter members are not elected. — 1873, pp. 395, 468, 471. 

311. Dues run on during suspension for a definite period. 
If at the expiration of the time the brother returns to the 
Lodge, he is to be charged for dues accruing during the 
period of suspension. — 1874, pp. 38, 161. 

312. Where a brother has been improperly expelled 
dues cannot be charged against him. — 1875, pp. 306, 438, 441. 

313. A Secretary cannot refuse to receive dues from a 
member although he is more than twelve months in ar- 
rears. It is his duty to receive the money and report the 



56 DUES AND FEES. 



facts to the Lodge. They alone can decide whether or not 
to receive the brother's dues. The Treasurer of a Lodge 
is not authorized to receive dues from members. — 1867, pp. 
81, 154, 155. 

314. A Lodge cannot provide by By-law that its mem- 
bers must pay their dues three months in advance. — 1868, 
p. 268 ; 1869, pp. 379, 410. 

315. Where dues are increased during the running of a 
Visiting Card the brother must pay the increased amount 
from the time of the increase. — 1875, pp. 308, 438, 441. 

316. A Lodge cannot remit dues owing by a member, 
in whole or in part ; but the Lodge may donate an indigent 
brother a sufficient amount for the purpose of enabling him 
to retain his membership. — 1869, pp. 346, 404, 407. 

317. A Lodge cannot suspend a member for non- 
payment of dues until said brother has been notified of 
the action that would be taken by the Lodge. — 1885, pp. 
571, 572. 

318. Where a Lodge increases its dues every member 
is bound to pay the increased rate. — 1891, pp. 90, 254. 

319. A member being in arrears for one year or more, 

his case reported by the Secretary to the Noble Grand, 
when the Lodge gave him three months' time within which 
to pay. At the expiration of that time it came before the 
Lodge; no motion then being made to give further time 
he was declared suspended. The Secretary of the Lodge 
had promised the brother that he would not be suspended, 
but that more time would be given him. Held, that the 
suspension was legal ; that no officer, member or members, 
can bind the Lodge by any such promise. — 1891, pp. 97, 
98, 254. 

320. It is not legal to suspend a member at the last 
meeting in December for non-payment of dues, his 

arrears dating from January of that year. The year must 
have fully expired before he is in arrears, he having all of 
the year wherein to pay. He should be given notice of his 
arrears and the time when it should be paid. Should the 
member neglect to pay or make no payment on account, 
unless the Lodge by vote otherwise direct at the time 



ELECTIONS FINES. 



57 



mentioned in the notice, his suspension must follow and be 
so declared.— 1891, pp. 98, 254, 258. 

321. Certain members, whose dues to the end of 1889 
were fully paid, were at the last meeting in December, 
1890, declared suspended. At the regular meeting of the 
Lodge held January 7, 1891, the dues of one of them were 
tendered to the proper officer, who refused to receive them ; 
no notice was given to the brothers. Declared illegal, null 
and void.— 1891, pp. 98, 254, 258. 

322. The Permanent Secretary of a Lodge cannot 
legally refuse any sum not less than one week's dues, large 
or small, which a member may tender on account of dues. 
—1891, pp. 105, 254, 259. 

323. The regular meeting nights falling on Christmas 
and New Year's. — If the meetings on those evenings be 
omitted, pursuant to Sovereign Grand Lodge law and the 
Subordinate Lodge By-laws on the subject, a member who 
at the close of either such meetings, if held, would have been 
disqualified for benefits because of arrears has until the 
meeting of January 8th within which to pay his arrears 
before becoming so disqualified for benefits. — 1891, p. 87; 
1893, pp. 92, 143. 



ELECTIONS. 



324. At an election for officers in a Lodge it requires, 
to elect, a majority of all the votes cast. All blanks count 
the same as a vote, and must be counted. — 1871, pp. 24, 99 ; 
1873, pp. 396, 468, 471. 

325. Reopening the polls at an election. — A brother 
desires to vote after the polls are closed- The Noble Grand 
has the right to declare them open for that purpose, pro- 
vided the votes had not already been canvassed; and in 
case the vote so received was an illegal one, no person ob- 
jecting, it would not vitiate the ballot. — 1879, p. 605. 



FINES. 

326. Subordinate Lodges. — Sec. 2. Any member who 
shall violate any of the principles of the Order, or offend 



58 FINES. 



against the Constitution, By-laws, or Eules of Order of this 
Lodge, shall be fined, reprimanded, suspended, or expelled, 
as the By-laws may direct or the Lodge determine. 

Sec. 4. Any member who shall have been fined in accord- 
ance with Section 2 of this Article, and who shall allow 
said fine to remain unpaid for two weeks after receiving 
notice thereof, shall thereafter be deprived of his right to 
speak and vote until all such fines are paid or revoked; 
and no member shall be eligible for any office, nor shall he 
be entitled to the Semi- Annual Password or to a Visiting 
or Withdrawal Card, while there are one or more unpaid 
fines standing against him ; provided, however, that no 
fine or fines imposed on any officer of a Lodge shall pre- 
vent his performance of the duties of his office during the 
term for which he was elected or appointed. Any member 
may pay under protest any fine imposed upon him, without 
in any way affecting his right of appeal from the imposi- 
tion of such fine; and if said fine shall be revoked on ap- 
peal, the Lodge must at once refund to such member the 
amount of the fine so paid. If any member shall allow a 
fine to remain unpaid for four weeks after receiving notice 
thereof, the Lodge shall have the right to deduct the 
amount from any benefits, sick or funeral, which may 
thereafter accrue to said member. — Art. vii., Const. Sub. L. 

327. For not attending an anniversary. — Unless pro- 
vided for in the By-laws of the Lodge, a resolution fining 
the members for not attending cannot be enforced. — 1867, 
pp. 84, 153. 

328. A Lodge cannot fine its members for absence from 
elections or meetings of the Lodge, and it is not competent 
for a Lodge to enforce any penalty by way of a fine for 
such absence.— 1867, pp. 141, 142, 152; 1869, p. 410; 1891, 
p. 222. 

329. A Lodge may fine officers and committees, where 
the By-laws provide for the infliction of a penalty on 
its officers or committees who fail to perform their duties, 
as provided by the regulations of the Order. Fines are 
penalties. — 1867, p. 153. 

330. For non-attendance at funeral. — Where the re- 
quirements of several societies to which the brother may 
belong are similar as to extent of attendance at funerals 



FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES. 59 

and the like, the brother may elect with which society he 
will appear. — 1874, pp. 36, 161. 

331. Fines cannot be remitted. — Where the require- 
ments of the By-laws of a Lodge prescribe the imposition 
of a fine for the non-performance of a duty as a member of 
a Standing Committee (absence from his place of residence, 
or sickness of the brother or in his family, alone excusing 
him), and such fine is imposed, such fine cannot be remitted 
by vote of the Lodge without the By-laws being amended. — 
1874, p. 164. 

332. For not attending the funeral of a non-beneficial 

member. — A Lodge can fine its members for refusing to 
attend the funeral of a non-beneficial member. — 1877, pp. 
11, 156. 

333. In arrears for fines. — A brother cannot be placed 
in arrears on the books of the Lodge for fines so as to 
deprive him from benefits. — 1879, pp. 558, 599. 

334. A brother who has taken a Visiting Card is not 
exempt from fine for non-attendance at a funeral, and his 
Lodge may refuse him another Visiting Card until said 
fine is paid.— 1890, pp. 336, 406. 

335. Where the By-laws of a Lodge provide that 
any brother, having notice of the death of a brother (or 
his wife) and not attending the funeral, shall pay a fine, 
it includes Initiatory, First and Second Degree members 
as liable to such fine.— 1892, pp. 474, 567. 



FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES. 

336. Sec. 6. The funds and properties of a Subordinate 
Lodge are, by the provisions of the Charter and the laws 
of the Order, held only in trust for charitable purposes, 
and must be applied solely to those purposes, and the do- 
nating or in any manner dividing them among the mem- 
bers individually is a violation of the trust and of the law, 
the penalty of which shall be expulsion. If a Subordinate 
Lodge fails from any cause to hold its meetings for six 
consecutive months, all its moneys and properties, with the 
Charter, shall be surrendered to the Grand Lodge, to be 



60 FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES. 

held in trust, or applied to charitable purposes. Provided, 
that when two or more Lodges shall desire to unite or 
consolidate, and there shall not be a sufficient number 
opposed to retain the Charter of either, the Grand Lodge 
or Standing Committee shall have power to unite or con- 
solidate them, and forthwith transfer to the consolidated 
Lodge the funds and property of the Lodges so con- 
solidated. 

Sec. 7. Upon the suspension or expulsion of a Lodge or 
surrender or forfeiture of its Charter, it shall be the duty 
of its last-installed officers and members having the custody 
of the Charter, books, papers, properties, and funds of the 
Lodge, to assign, transfer, and deliver the same on demand 
to the Grand Master or the D. D. G. M. of the District, or to 
such Past Grand as may be specially deputed by the Grand 
Master or Grand Lodge to receive the same, and the same 
shall be held subject to the order of the Grand Lodge. 
And any officer or member, having such properties in cus- 
tody, refusing such demand, shall be forever excluded from 
membership or fellowship in the Order, notwithstanding 
such Lodge should afterward be restored to good standing. 

Sec. 8. All effects or funds received by the Grand Lodge 
from any Subordinate or Degree Lodge, under the last 
Section, shall be kept separate and apart from the prop- 
erty or funds of the Grand Lodge, and such funds shall 
not be estimated as part of the funds of the Grand Lodge, 
but shall be held in trust to be restored, should such Lodge 
ever be reinstated or upon the expiration of the period of 
its suspension. Provided, however, that in the event said 
Lodge should not be restored to fellowship within three 
years, the funds of said Lodge shall be disposed or used, 
under the direction of the Grand Lodge, in aiding or as- 
sisting any Subordinate Lodge needing assistance, or for 
such other charitable purposes within the Order as in their 
judgment may be deemed advisable. — Art. x., By-laws G-. L. 

337. Trust Funds. — Sec. 8. The funds and property of 
this Lodge, having been raised for the relief of sick and 
distressed members and other charitable uses in the Order, 
are trust funds for the contingent benefit of its members, 
and shall not be divided in any manner among the mem- 
bers individually; nor between this Lodge and any other 
that may branch from it, without the assent of two-thirds 
of the members in good standing in this Lodge present, 
which assent shal] be ascertained and given by and upon a 



FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES. 61 

vote to be taken at a regular meeting of this Lodge by 
ayes and noes, upon a call of the roll of said members, and 
upon a written proposition to donate a specific sum to aid 
in the organization of a new Lodge, which proposition shall 
be submitted and read in not less than two regular meetings 
next preceding that at which such vote shall be so taken; 
and such vote shall be recorded, with the names of the 
members voting, by the Secretary in the Lodge records, 
and all funds and property of this Lodge not so donated 
shall remain the property of this Lodge for its legitimate 
purposes, so long as its Charter is unreclaimed. Whenever 
a brother ceases to be a member of this Lodge, by reason 
of his death, expulsion, suspension, or withdrawal, his 
right, title, and interest in and to the property or funds of 
this Lodge, or any part thereof, thereby become ex- 
tinguished. — Art. iv., Const. Sub. L. 

338. The paying for a picture of an old and tried mem- 
ber of the Lodge would not be infringing upon Section 8, 
Article iv. of the Constitution of Subordinate Lodges. — 
1871, pp. 26, 100. 

339. A Lodge may donate to widows of deceased 
brethren who were not in good standing at the time of 
their death.— 1874, p. 167; 1875, p. 420. 

340. A Lodge may appropriate funds to celebrate its 
anniversary, but not for balls, suppers, excursions, or pic- 
nics. Subordinate Lodges have the right to determine the 
propriety of appropriating their funds for all purposes 
recognized by the Order. It may therefore appropriate of 
its funds for celebrating its own anniversary, but it is not 
legitimate to appropriate its funds for defraying the ex- 
penses of balls, suppers, or other entertainments. — 1867, 
pp. 82, 153; 1869, pp. 387, 394; 1871, pp. 206, 207; 1874, pp. 
35, 161. 

341. Funds raised voluntarily for entertainment of 
visiting brothers. — A Lodge that has raised money by 
voluntary subscriptions to entertain visiting brethren, and 
uses the money so raised for such purpose, violates no law 
in so doing.— 1871, pp. 28, 107. 

342. For schools of instruction. — A Lodge cannot 
donate from its funds to entertain Past Grands or others 
who attend such schools. — 1876, pp. 578, 663, 672. 



62 FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES. 



343. Committee to attend funeral of a brother. — A 

Lodge has the right to pay the expenses of a committee 
appointed by the Lodge to attend the funeral of a deceased 
member at a distance from the Lodge, and may pay for 
white gloves to be used at a funeral. — 1873, pp. 470, 472; 
1878, pp. 275, 375. 

344. Watchers for the sick. — A Lodge has the right 
to pay for watchers for its sick members out of the general 
fund of the Lodge.— 1877, pp. 14, 157. 

345. To pay legal expenses. — A Lodge has the right to 
vote money from its funds to pay expenses for prosecution 
of trespassers upon their premises during Lodge meetings. 
—1875, pp. 315, 425, 426. 

346. Donation to a brother under charges. — A Lodge 
may donate from its funds to a member under charges who 
is sick or in distress. — 1879, pp. 558, 599. 

347. To pay carriage hire to funerals. — A Eebekah 
Lodge has the right to appropriate its funds to pay for 
carriages hired to attend the funeral of a deceased sister; 
but it has no right to appropriate its funds to pay for sup- 
pers or collations provided for sister Lodges visiting it. — 
1874, pp. 38, 161. 

348. Donations for widows and orphans of soldiers 
who fell in a foreign war. — A Grerman Lodge donated from 
its funds a certain amount to be sent to (xermany for the 
widows and orphans of the Grerman soldiers who fell in 
the late Grerman and French war. Upon appeal it was 
held to be legal— 1871, pp. 28, 107. 

349. Donations to widows of deceased brothers. — A 
Lodge has the right to donate from its funds for a widow 
of a deceased Odd Fellow.— 1 874, p. 167. 

350. Division of funds to form new Lodges is allowed 
under certain regulations, as are provided by law; but 
those going out to form the new Lodge must not vote on 
the subject. See Section 8, Article iv. of Constitution of 
Subordinate Lodges.— 1874, p. 174. 



FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES. 63 



351. Degree fees to be paid back. — A Lodge that has 
received fees for degrees voted to a member who has not 
received them has a right to vote the money back, upon the 
request of the brother and on his returning to the Lodge 
the certificate granting him the degrees. — 1871, p. 101. 

352. Official bonds as security for funds. — Where a 
Lodge is incorporated the bonds should be to the Lodge in 
its corporate name. — 1875, pp. 310, 438, 411. 

353. A Lodge has the right to donate to a widow of 
a deceased member of the Lodge who was not in good 
standing at the time of his death. — 1880, p. 126. 

354. A Lodge cannot establish a separate fund for 

funeral and other purposes from which only those members 
who contribute thereto shall receive the benefits thereof. — 
1891, pp. 83, 84, 254. 

355. Weekly dues and all other revenues of the Lodge 

are trust funds to be used only as the laws provide. Should 
claims for benefits accrue, and the Lodge has not funds to 
meet them, they must assess the members for such purpose. 
Funds specially levied or acquired for distinct purposes 
must be reserved for such purposes. — 1891, pp. 89, 254. 

356. A Lodge may purchase, and pay for the same out 
of its general fund, a piano for the use of the Lodge. — 
1891, pp. 90, 254. 

357. A Lodge may invest its funds in a building and 
loan association, and may appropriate from its funds to 
aid in the construction of an I. O. 0. F. Orphan Asylum, 
but not for the entertainment of the members or of their 
families and friends. — 1891, pp. 89, 254. 

358. A Subordinate Lodge may set apart five per cent, 
received for dues as a contingent fund, from which they 
may pay bills for entertainments, banquets, picnics, balls, 
or other matters of like import; but said fund must be set 
apart by the Lodge by a formal act. — 1893, pp. 39, 41, 42, 142. 

359. Where a Lodge has by its By-laws only one fund, 

all moneys received by the Lodge, from whatever source, 
must be paid into said fund. — 1891, pp. 90, 254. 



64 GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 



360. A Lodge can reconsider its action by which the 
fund raised by an entertainment was paid into the Lodge 
fund._l.892, pp. 475, 567. 

361. Subordinate Lodges under the jurisdiction of the 
Grand Lodge of New York are authorized to set apart five 
per cent, of their receipts from dues as a contingent fund, 
to be used for such expenditures as the Lodge may deem 
wise and proper. — 1892, p. 558. 

362. A Lodge has the right to pay the expenses of a 
Kepresentative or Proxy to the Grand Lodge. — 1893, pp. 
41, 142. 

GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK. 
1. CONSTITUTION OP GRAND LODGE. 

363. Preamble. — Whereas, The Grand Lodge of the United 
States (now Sovereign Grand Lodge) of the I. 0. 0. F., 
possessing original and exclusive jurisdiction, the source 
of all true and legitimate authority in Odd Fellowship, did, 
by Warrant bearing date the fourth day of June, 1823, 
grant its authority to certain Past Grands of the Order, 
residing in the State of New York, to form a Grand Lodge 
of the I. O. O. F. for said State, and to locate the same in 
the city of New York, giving and granting to them and 
their successors, by the name, style, and title of "The 
Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of 
the State of New York," full power and authority to grant 
Warrants for opening Lodges subordinate thereto, for the 
propagation and support of the established principles of 
the Order; with power and authority also to cause all hon- 
orary and the first three degrees of the Order to be con- 
ferred on deserving members, according to the laws and 
customs of the 1. 0. 0. F. ; and, as the legislative and 
judicial head of the Order in the State of New York, to 
have and exercise full power and authority to enforce 
upon its Subordinates a strict adherence to the laws and 
regulations of the Order, and to make and enforce such 
rules for their government as in the opinion of said Grand 
Lodge may be for the advancement of the Order, and not 
in violation of the rules and regulations of the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge. 

Therefore, by and under the authority and powers above 
cited, the following Articles are hereby declared to be the 



GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 65 

" Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the I. 0. 0. F. of the 
State of New York." 

Art. i. — Of the Grand Lodge. — Sec. 1. The Grand Lodge 
shall be known by the name, style, and title of "The Grand 
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the 
State of New York," and shall be composed of all Past 
Grands who are contributing members of Lodges subordi- 
nate to this Grand Lodge, and who have been admitted as 
required by this Constitution. 

Sec. 2. The Grand Lodge has jurisdiction in Odd Fellow- 
ship within the State of New York, and is the supreme 
tribunal of the Order in its jurisdiction. No Lodge can be 
formed or continue to exist without its sanction. It pos- 
sesses the sole right and power, in the manner hereinafter 
provided, of granting or suspending Charters ; of receiving 
appeals and redressing grievances arising in Lodges; of 
originating and regulating the means of its own support ; 
of deciding, as the last resort in this jurisdiction, all 
questions arising out of its Constitutions, By-laws, and 
Rules of Order ; and of doing all other acts necessary to 
promote the interests of the Order, provided the same are 
not in violation of the laws of the land. 

Sec. 3. To entitle a Past Grand to membership in this 
Grand Lodge, he must produce a certificate from the Sub- 
ordinate Lodge of which he is a member, duly signed and 
sealed, certifying that he is a member in good standing ; 
that he has been duly elected to and has served a regular 
term in the office of Noble Grand, and that he is entitled 
to membership in the Grand Lodge of the State of New 
York. 

Art. ii. — Of Sessions and Business of the Grand 
Lodge. — Sec. 1. The Grand Lodge shall hold a regular an- 
nual session, to commence on the Tuesday succeeding the 
third Monday in August in each year, at nine o'clock, a. m., 
and shall continue to meet at the same hour from day to 
day consecutively (Sundays excepted) until the close of the 
session. The first annual session after the adoption of this 
Constitution was held in the city of New York, and every 
third annual session thereafter shall be held at the same 
place ; and the two intermediate sessions shall be held at 
such place as the Grand Lodge shall at the next previous 
session determine on, provided that such intermediate 
sessions shall not be held twice successively at the same 
place ; but the seat of the Grand Lodge shall ever be held 
to be at the city of New York, and the Grand Secretary 



66 GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 



shall always keep his office there, and communications for 
the Grand Lodge shall be directed to the Grand Secretary 
at that place. 

Sec. 2. The business of the Grand Lodge shall be trans- 
acted by the elective Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge, 
Past Grand Masters, and Eepresentatives elected in the 
manner as hereinafter provided. All members of the 
Grand Lodge may be present at its sessions, but none, ex- 
cept the Officers of .and Representatives to the Grand 
Lodge, shall be permitted to vote at the session. 

Sec. 3. Each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to elect 
one of its Past Grands as its Representative to the Grand 
Lodge. The election for Representatives shall be held at 
the time for the election of Lodge officers next previous to 
each annual session, to serve for one year, commencing 
with the Tuesday succeeding the third Monday in August 
thereafter. Vacancies may be filled at any time to serve 
the residue of the term. The Representatives mentioned 
in this Section shall be styled Regular Representatives. 

Sec. 4. Each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to 
elect, for the same term as a Regular Representative, or 
for any less term, any Past Grand in good standing in a 
Lodge subordinate to this Grand Lodge as Proxy Repre- 
sentative, to act only in the absence of its Regular Repre- 
sentative; provided, that no Past Grand shall act as 
Regular and Proxy Representative, nor shall any member 
act as Proxy for more than one Lodge at the same time. 

Sec. 5. Special sessions of this Grand Lodge may be 
convened at the call of the Grand Master for the trans- 
action of extraordinary business, which must be stated in 
the call ; but no business shall be considered other than 
that which is specified in the call ; and not less than thirty 
days' notice of such special session shall be given by letter 
by the Grand Secretary to each Representative, to com- 
mence from the day said letters are mailed. 

Sec. 6. The Grand Lodge cannot be opened for business 
unless there are thirty Subordinate Lodges represented. 
Provided, however, that special sessions may be called at 
any time or place by the Grand Master, for instructions 
only in the Grand Lodge Degree, and for the exemplifi- 
cation of the unwritten work of the Order; at such 
sessions ten Grand Lodge members shall constitute a 
quorum. 

Art. hi. — Of Officers. — Sec. 1. The elective officers of 
this Grand Lodge shall be as follows : The Grand Master, 



GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 67 

Deputy Grand Master, Grand Warden, Grand Secretary, 
Grand Treasurer, and two Grand Representatives to the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows — who shall severally hold their offices for one year, 
except the Grand Representatives, one of whom shall be 
elected each year, to serve for two years. Elections for 
officers shall be held in such manner as shall be prescribed 
by the By-laws. 

Sec. 2. The following officers shall be appointed by the 
Grand Master, by and with the consent of the Grand Lodge, 
viz.: Grand Chaplain, Grand Marshal, Grand Conductor, 
Grand Guardian, Grand Herald, and a District Deputy 
Grand Master for each District. 

Sec. 3. No Past Grand shall be eligible for any elective 
Grand Office unless he has been a member of this Grand 
Lodge for one year, and attained such degrees as by virtue 
of his office he may confer upon others. The candidates 
for Grand Representatives shall have attained the Royal 
Purple Degree, and must be members in good standing in 
a Subordinate Encampment. 

Sec. 4. The elective Grand Officers, except the Grand 
Representatives, shall constitute the Standing Committee, 
to act in the recess of the annual sessions of the Grand 
Lodge, and perform such duties as may be assigned to 
them. The Grand Master shall be chairman of said com- 
mittee, and he may call meetings thereof at his discretion. 

Sec. 5. Any Grand Officer may be removed from his office 
for conduct unworthy of his standing in the Order, or for 
inattention to the duties of his office ; but he shall be en- 
titled to a fair trial, and two -thirds of the individual votes 
of the Representatives present are necessary for removal. 

Sec. 6. Should the Grand Master be under charges, a 
Past Grand Master shall preside while any question arising 
therefrom shall be under consideration. 

Sec. 7. A vacancy in the office of District Deputy Grand 
Master shall be filled by the Grand Master for the residue 
of the term of the former incumbent. Vacancies in the 
other Grand Offices, except that of Grand Master, shall be 
filled by the Grand Lodge, if in session; if not, then by the 
Standing Committee, and for the remainder of the term of 
the former incumbent. 

Aet. iv. — Of Votes. — Sec. 1. Every Lodge shall be en- 
titled to one vote where the number of members returned 
in its last annual report shall be less than forty; two votes 
where the number shall be forty, and one vote for each 



68 GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 

additional forty members. Each Eepresentative shall, in 
all cases of ballot and vote, except in the single case in this 
Section hereinafter provided for, be entitled to cast the 
number of votes to which the Lodge he represents is en- 
titled. Each elective Grand Officer shall be entitled to one 
vote. All questions and votes before the Grand Lodge, not 
in this Constitution otherwise provided for, shall be deter- 
mined by a majority of the votes given by the Represen- 
tatives and elective Grand Officers present ; and when five 
of the Representatives call for the vote by yeas and nays, 
or when the same are by this Constitution required to be 
taken, they shall be so taken and recorded on the Journal. 
Provided, however, that all questions for the expulsion of 
a Representative shall be by the votes of the Representa- 
tives present. 

Aet. v. — Or Revenue. — Sec. 1. The revenue of this 
Grand Lodge shall be raised for the purpose of defraying 
the necessary expenses thereof, and not for accumulation 
or investment, beyond the sum of one thousand dollars, 
to meet the current expenses in anticipation of receipts. 

Sec. 2. Such revenue shall be derived from Charter fees 
and assessments hereinafter provided. The fee for a Char- 
ter for a Subordinate or Degree Lodge shall be thirty dol- 
lars each, and for a Rebekah Lodge twenty dollars, to 
accompany the application. 

Sec. 3. At each annual session the Finance Committee 
shall ascertain what will be the deficiency for the current 
year in the amount on hand (exclusive of one thousand 
dollars as aforesaid) to pay the estimated expenses of the 
Grand Lodge, and the" amount of the deficiency shall be 
assessed upon each Subordinate Lodge in proportion to the 
number of members it returned December 31st of the year 
next preceding said annual session. Such assessment shall 
be paid to the Grand Secretary forthwith by the Lodges, 
upon being notified thereof by him. 

Aet. vi. — Disteicts. — Sec. 1. Every county in which 
there are now situated two or more Subordinate Lodges 
(except in the counties of New Yoi'k, Kings, and Erie), 
having at least Hve Past Grands who are contributing 
members thereof, and every county when it shall contain 
two or more Lodges, and having the number of Past Grands 
with the qualification as above, shall be denominated a Dis- 
trict, and the Past Grands in membership in said Lodges 
shall constitute the Grand Committee of the District. Pro- 
vided, however, that the Grand Lodge may, at any annual 



GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 69 

session, consolidate two adjoining Districts, may divide 
any county into two or more Districts, or attach one or 
more Lodges in any county to an adjoining District. 

Sec. 2. Every two or more counties, other than those 
mentioned in Section 1 of this Article, shall, by the Stand- 
ing Committee, be attached to some regular adjoining Dis- 
trict; and any two such counties adjoining, having together 
Lodges and Past Grands as provided in said Section, shall 
be formed into a District by the Standing Committee. 

Sec. 3. The city and county of New York shall be divided 
into not less than four Districts, each District to be com- 
posed of such Lodges as the Grand Lodge shall determine. 

Sec. 4. The county of Kings shall be divided into not 
less than two Districts, each District to be composed of 
such Lodges as the Grand Lodge shall determine. 

Sec. 5. The county of Erie to be divided into not less 
than two Districts, each District to be composed of such 
Lodges as the Grand Lodge may direct. 

Sec. 6. The Rebekah Lodge or Lodges in each county 
working in any language shall be denominated a Rebekah 
District. No person shall be appointed D. D. Gr. M. of any 
Rebekah District, except a Past Grand or a Past Noble 
Grand of the Order in membership and in good standing in 
a Rebekah Lodge in the District. No system of Rebekah 
District Grand Committees is authorized by this Section. 

Art. vii. — Or Making By-laws and Rules of Okder. — 
Sec. 1. The Grand Lodge may adopt By-laws in conformity 
with this Constitution, which shall not be altered, repealed, 
or amended, unless the proposition for such alteration, re- 
peal, or amendment be proposed in writing at an annual 
session, and, if seconded, the same shall be entered on the 
minutes. At the next annual session the proposition shall 
be considered, and if agreed to by two-thirds of the Repre- 
sentatives present shall become part of the By-laws. 

Sec. 2. This Grand Lodge shall have one general form 
of Constitution for the government of all its Subordinate 
Lodges, which shall be furnished to each Lodge that is now 
or hereafter may be acting under a Warrant regularly is- 
sued by it, which Constitution shall be considered as the 
law by which each Subordinate Lodge is to be governed 
in the transaction of its business, except so far as relates 
to the financial department thereof, in relation to which 
each Lodge shall have the power to make such By-laws as 
in its wisdom it shall judge best, which By-laws it may 
alter or amend at pleasure ; provided that they conform to 



70 GRAND LODGE BY-LAWS. 

the said Constitution, subject to the approval of the Com- 
mittee on Laws of Subordinates. 

Sec. 3. The Grand Lodge may in like manner make such 
Eules of Order as may be necessary for the regulation of 
its sessions and for securing good order and the dispatch 
of its business. Such Eules of Order may be suspended 
at any meeting by a two-third vote, provided that such 
suspension shall not extend beyond the meeting which 
voted therefor. 

Akt. viii. — Amending this Constitution. — Sec. 1. No part 
of this Constitution shall be amended, altered, annulled, 
or suspended, nor shall any additions be made thereto, 
except at an annual session and in the manner hereinafter 
prescribed, 

Sec. 2. A proposition to amend this Constitution shall be 
recommended by a majority of the Eepresentatives present 
at an annual session ; a copy of such amendment shall be 
transmitted to every Subordinate Lodge, and shall not be 
acted upon until the meeting of the next annual session 
thereafter. Provided, that all changes which may be re- 
quired to make this Constitution and the By-laws of this 
Grand Lodge conform to such laws, rules, and regulations 
as may be made by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, shall be 
ordered at any annual session. 

Sec. 3. At such annual session the proposition shall be 
considered, and if approved, upon the call of the yeas and 
nays, by two-thirds of the votes given, it shall be adopted 
and go immediately into effect, unless otherwise provided 
in the proposition. 

2. BY-LAWS OP GRAND LODGE. 

364. Akt. i. — Opening oe the G-rand Lodge. — Sec. 1. The 
Grand Lodge shall be opened at the time specified in the 
Constitution for its meeting, and if a quorum be present 
shall proceed to business. If there be no quorum present 
within one half hour, the Grand Master or the presiding 
officer may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a 
quorum shall appear. In the absence of the G-rand Master 
the Deputy G-rand Master shall preside ; if both these offi- 
cers be absent the Grand Warden shall preside; in the 
absence of the above-named officers the senior Past G-rand 
Master present shall take the chair; and if no Past G-rand 
Master be present, a temporary organization shall take 
place. In the absence of either of the officers his place 



GRAND LODGE BY-LAWS. 71 

shall be supplied by an appointment to be made pro tern. 
by the presiding officer. 

Art. ii. — Of the Nomination and Election of Officers. — 
Sec. 1. Nominations of candidates for all elective Grand 
Offices shall be made as follows: Every District Grand 
Committee may, by the votes of a majority of the members 
present at the annual meeting, nominate one candidate for 
each of the elective Grand Offices, which nominations shall 
be certified to the Grand Secretary before the first Monday 
in April in each year. Whereupon it shall be the duty of 
the Grand Secretary to forward to each Past Grand so 
nominated immediate notice thereof, who should signify 
by letter to the Grand Secretary his acceptance or declina- 
tion of such nomination before the first day of May follow- 
ing. The Grand Secretary shall on that day issue a circular 
to each Subordinate Lodge and D. D. G.M. containing the 
names of all the candidates who have accepted their nomi- 
nation, and by what committees nominated, together with 
the names and numbers of the Lodges to which they are 
attached and the location thereof. 

Sec. 2. At the second stated meeting of each Subordinate 
Lodge in the month of June, the Past Grands in good 
standing in each Lodge may (by ballot) vote for such can- 
didates for the several elective offices of this Grand Lodge 
as were previously nominated in the manner prescribed in 
the foregoing Section. As soon as the poll is closed in each 
Lodge, the vote shall be counted; and the poll-list, which 
shall be kept by the Secretary of the Lodge, and contain 
the names of the Past Grands present and voting and the 
result of the vote, shall be certified by the Noble Grand and 
the Secretary, under the seal of the Lodge; and the Sec- 
retary shall immediately forward the same to the Grand 
Secretary in a sealed envelope, addressed to the Committee 
on Election Returns, and which, when received, shall be 
kept so sealed by the Grand Secretary until the first day 
of the Grand Lodge session, when they shall be handed 
over to said committee, who shall then proceed to open 
and canvass the same as provided by next Section. The 
said officers of the Lodge shall also prepare a duplicate 
copy of the said poll-list, and forward the same to the 
Grand Master, sealed, who shall keep the same sealed up 
until the session of the Grand Lodge, when such duplicates 
shall be handed over to the same committee. 

Sec. 3. On the first day of the annual session the votes 
for elective Grand Officers shall be canvassed in the Grand 



72 GRAND LODGE RULES OF ORDER. 

Lodge. No vote shall be valid or recorded as a part of the 
poll unless it be for a regularly nominated qualified candi- 
date. A majority of all the votes returned shall be neces- 
sary to a choice. In case neither candidate shall have 
received a majority, the Representatives present shall 
forthwith proceed to vote, by ballot, for a choice from the 
candidates in nomination; and in case no choice is made 
on the first ballot, then the balloting shall be confined to 
the two candidates having received the greatest number of 
votes in the Grand Lodge. Such canvass and election shall 
be the first business after the organization of the Grand 
Lodge. 

Sec. 4. The recommendation of a D. D. G. M. for each 
District shall be made at the annual meeting of the Grand 
Committee, and the same shall be immediately sent to the 
Grand Secretary, to be delivered to the Grand Master elect 
on his installation. 

3. RULES OF ORDER OP GRAND LODGE. 

365. I. — Order of Business. — The order of business at 
the annual session shall be, on the 

First Day. — 1. The Grand Master shall request the Rep- 
resentatives to clothe themselves in proper regalia, direct 
the officers to take their respective stations, fill vacancies 
pro tern., and, after the proper examination, a quorum be- 
ing present, shall call up the Grand Lodge. 

2. While standing, the Grand Chaplain will offer a prayer. 

3. Proclamation shall be made by the Grand Marshal of 
the opening of the annual session of the Grand Lodge. 

4. Committees on Credentials, Election of Grand Officers, 
and on Certificates for Grand Lodge Degree announced as 
previously appointed. 

5. Report of the Committee on Credentials on the eligi- 
bility of Representatives. 

6. New members, who are Representatives to the Grand 
Lodge, admitted. 

7. Appointment of all other committees made. 

8. The record of the previous regular and all special ses- 
sions shall be read, and be passed upon by the Grand 
Lodge. 

9. The reports of the Grand Officers and Standing Com- 
mittee shall then be presented. After passing this Rule, 
the report of Committee on Election of Grand Officers shall 
have precedence over other business, and after being 



GRAND LODGE RULES OF ORDER. 73 

adopted, if there be no choice in any of such officers, the 
election thereof shall immediately take place. 

10. Petitions, communications, appeals, financial ac- 
counts, and reports of District Grand Committees shall 
then be presented and referred. 

11. Miscellaneous business, unless an adjournment be 
ordered. 

12. Should the foregoing order of business not be con- 
cluded the first day, it shall be commenced on each suc- 
ceeding day where it rested the preceding day, except that 
the reading and approval of the minutes shall be the first 
business in order each day. 

Second Day. — 13. Reading and approval of minutes of 
preceding day. 

14. Resolutions of inquiry referred to standing or special 
committees. 

15. Petitions, communications, appeals, financial ac- 
counts, and reports of District Grand Committees shall 
then be presented and referred. 

16. Consideration of proposed amendments to the Con- 
stitution or By-laws of the Grand Lodge. 

17. Consideration of proposed amendments to the Con- 
stitutions of Subordinate, Degree, or Rebekah Lodges. 

18. Reports of standing committees lying on the table 
taken up for consideration. 

19. Reports of standing committees, in the order as pro- 
vided by Section 1, Article iv. of the By-laws. 

20. Reports of special committees, by seniority. 

21. Unfinished business. 

22. New business. 

23. Each day the Grand Lodge shall take a recess from 
12 o'clock, m., until 2 o'clock, p. m. 

24. The installation of Grand Officers and appointment 
of District Deputy Grand Masters shall take place on the 
last day of the session, at the conclusion of its business, 
when the Grand Lodge shall be closed in appropriate form. 

25. After the installation no new business shall be re- 
ceived nor any acted upon, other than the reading and 
correcting the minutes of the day. 

II. — Of Decorum. — During the continuance of the meet- 
ing the most decorous silence must be observed, the 
officers, Representatives, and members retaining their re- 
spective seats, and no one leaving the room without per- 
mission of the Grand Master, nor entering without the 
consent of the Grand Warden. 



74 GRAND LODGE RULES OF ORDER. 

No Representative or member shall disturb or otherwise 
interrupt the business of» the Grand Lodge, or refuse to 
obey the Chair. 

Every officer and Representative shall be designated, in 
debate or otherwise, by his proper office or title, according 
to his standing in the Order. 

Officers and Representatives shall not be permitted to 
vote or speak unless clothed in regalia appropriate to their 
rank and station. 

III. — Oe the Chair. — The Grand Master, while presiding, 
shall state every question coming before the Grand Lodge, 
and immediately before putting the vote shall ask : "Is the 
Grand Lodge ready for the question P Should no Repre- 
sentative rise to speak, and a majority show their readiness, 
he shall rise to take the question, and after he has risen no 
one shall be permitted to speak upon it. He shall pro- 
nounce the votes and decisions of the Grand Lodge on all 
subjects. His decisions on questions of order shall be with- 
out debate, unless, entertaining doubts on the point, he 
invite it ; and he shall have the privilege of speaking only 
on such questions from the chair. When his decision has 
been appealed from, the question shall be put thus : " Will 
the Grand Lodge sustain the Chair in its decision P 

IV. — Of Debate. — Every Representative when he speaks 
or offers a motion shall be standing, and shall respectfully 
address the Chair, and when he has finished he shall take 
his seat. While speaking he shall confine himself to the 
question under debate, avoiding all personality or inde- 
corous language, as well as any reflection upon the Grand 
Lodge or its members. 

Should two or more Representatives rise to speak at the 
same time, the Chair shall decide which shall be entitled 
to the floor. 

No Representative shall disturb another in his speech, 
unless to call him to order for words spoken. 

If a Representative, while speaking, shall be called to 
order, at the request of the Chair he shall cease speaking 
and take his seat until the question of order is determined, 
when, if permitted, he may again proceed. 

No Representative shall speak more than once on the 
same question, until all others wishing to speak shall have 
had an opportunity to do so, nor more than twice without 
special permission of the Chair. But no Representative 
shall have the privilege of speaking more than once on a 
question of order, after appeal from the decision of the Chair. 



GRAND LODGE RULES OF ORDER. 75 

V. — Of Questions and Votes. — No motion shall be sub- 
ject to action until seconded, and stated by the Chair, and 
at the desire of any Representative shall be reduced to 
writing. 

When a blank is to be filled, the question shall be taken 
first upon the highest sum or number, and the longest or 
latest time proposed. 

Any Representative may call for the division of a question 
when the sense will admit it. 

When a question is before the Grand Lodge no motion 
shall be received, unless to adjourn, the previous question, 
to lay on the table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to 
a certain time, to refer, or to amend, and they shall have 
precedence in the order herein arranged — the first four of 
which shall be decided without debate. 

After any question, except one of indefinite postpone- 
ment, has been decided, any two Representatives who 
voted with the majority may, at any time during the ses- 
sion, move for a reconsideration thereof. 

The previous question can be called for by two Represen- 
tatives, if seconded by a majority, and shall be put in this 
form : " Shall the main question be now put P and, if carried, 
shall preclude all further debate and amendments, and the 
vote shall be taken on the amendments pending in their 
regular order. 

When five of the Representatives rise in favor of taking 
a question by yeas and nays, they shall be ordered and 
recorded. 

Every Representative present shall vote on any question 
before the Grand Lodge, unless he is personally interested 
in the result, or has been excused by the Grand Lodge, or 
is otherwise incapacitated. 

366. When laws take effect. — All the laws and legis- 
lative acts of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, or of any State 
Grand Lodge, go into effect from the time of their enact- 
ment, unless otherwise provided; and they are promulgated 
by means of printed proceedings issued officially by the 
Grand Secretaries of the Grand Bodies respectively. — 1871, 
pp. 22, 99. 

367. General laws of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, 

when not of a constitutional character, are binding and 
obligatory when enacted through the medium of resolu- 
tions. This law (the two-dollar benefit law) was not de- 



76 GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK. 

signed as a recommendation, but compulsory on all Lodges 
of the Order, without any action on the part of this Grand 
Lodge.— 1892, p. 560. 

368. Amendments to Constitution of Grand Lodge 

must be approved by the Sovereign Grand Lodge before 
they become operative. — 1873, pp. 462, 468, 560. 

369. What degree must the Grand Lodge be opened 

in ? — No business can be transacted unless in the Grand 
Lodge Degree. — 1875, pp. 415. 

370. Charges cannot be preferred in the Grand Lodge 
against an officer or member under the guise of a privileged 
question. — 1876, pp. 614, 615. 

371. Charges which have been referred to a Trial Com- 
mittee may, without the consent of the party preferring 
the same, be taken from the Trial Committee by the Grand 
Lodge and referred to the Committee of the Whole for trial, 
where the charges may be tried. — 1876, pp. 669, 670. 

372. The Grand Lodge alone has the authority to 

change the chartered location of a Subordinate Lodge. — 
1883, p. 110. 

373. The Grand Lodge only can grant permission to 

Lodges to hold semi-monthly sessions instead of weekly. — 
1885, pp. 497, 562. 

374. The Grand Lodge will only take cognizance of 
papers handed in and vouched for by a Eepresentative, or 
properly authenticated as coming from members or Lodges 
of the Order.— 1880, pp. 131, 132. 

375. The Grand Lodge may act upon an application 

for a Charter for a Subordinate Lodge, notwithstanding the 
application has not been before the District Grand Com- 
mittee of the District in which the new Lodge is to be 
located.— 1890, p. 394. 

376. The Grand Lodge alone has the power to authorize 
a Lodge to change from weekly to fortnightly or semi- 
monthly meetings. — 1891, pp. 76, 257. 



HONORS OF OFFICE INITIATION — INSTALLATION. 77 



HONORS OF OFFICE. 

377. An officer of a Lodge who is absent a majority 
of the nights of the term, even with the consent of his 
Lodge, forfeits the honors of his office ; bnt this penalty 
does not applv to absence occasioned by sickness. — 1867,. 
pp. 81, 153 ; 1874, pp. 36, 161. 

378. A Vice Grand having served twenty-five nights 
of his term and resigned his office on the twenty-sixth 
night, and his resignation accepted and successor having 
been elected and installed, loses the honors of the office, 
and his successor is entitled to the full honors of the term. 
—1876, pp. 672, 673. 

379. A Noble Grand of a Lodge who has served a 
majority of the nights of the term, and then resigns, is not 
entitled to a certificate of Past Grand. — 1877, pp. 13, 156. 



INITIATION. 



380. Manner of initiation. — It is irregular and improper 
for a Lodge to initiate in any other manner than that laid 
down in the Charge Book, and the Lodge must adhere to 
the work of the Order as prescribed by the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge.— 1871, pp. 25, 99. 

381. With a Scarlet member in the Vice Grand's chair. 
— A Lodge can initiate a candidate with the Noble Grand 
or a Past Grand in the Noble Grand's chair and a Scarlet 
member in the Vice Grand's chair, the Vice Grand not be- 
ing present and no Past Grand or Past Vice Grand being 
in the Lodge room. — 1873, pp. 469, 472. 

[This is in contravention of the Vice Grand's O. B. N.] 

382. Change of language. — A Lodge working in the 
German language has the right to initiate a candidate and 
work in the English language while so doing. — 1878, pp. 
273, 363. 



INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. 

383. Officers of Grand Lodge. — The installation of 
Grand Officers and appointment of District Deputy Grand 



78 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. 

Masters shall take place on the last day of the session, at 
the conclusion of its business, when the Grand Lodge shall 
be closed in appropriate form. — 24th Rule of Order G. L. 

384. Officers of Subordinate Lodges. — Officers shall be 
elected at the last regular meeting in each term, and shall 
be installed at the first meeting in the succeeding term. — 
Sec. 7, Art. iii., Const. Sub. L. 

385. Officers of Degree Lodges. — Officers shall be elected 
at the last regular meeting in each term, and shall be in- 
stalled at the first meeting in the succeeding term. — Sec. 3, 
Art. ii., Const. Deg. L. 

386. Officers of Rebekah Lodges. — Elections for officers 
shall be held at the last stated meeting in each term, and 
the officers shall be installed (according to the form of 
public installation only) at the first stated meeting in the 
succeeding term, at which time the appointive officers shall 
be appointed. — Sec. 5, Art. ii., Const. Reb. L. 

387. Assessment to be paid before installation. — A 

Lodge must not be installed or its members receive the 
Passwords until the Grand Secretary's receipt for the Grand 
Lodge assessment is shown to the installing officer. — 1867, 
pp. 83, 153. 

388. Refusing to pay District Grand Committee as- 
sessment. — The D. D. G. M. has no right to refuse to install 
the officers of a Lodge that refuses to pay its assessment 
to the District Grand Committee. — 1875, pp. 311, 438, 441. 

389. Public installations. — Lodges have the right to 
have their installations in public, provided the same are 
conducted in accordance with the forms and the laws of 
the Order.— 1867, p. 124. 



390. By Special Deputy. — Officers of a Degree Lodge 
were installed by a Special Deputy appointed by the 
D. D. G. M. for that special purpose. Held, on appeal to 
the Grand Lodge, to be legal. — 1871, pp. 30, 107. 



INSTRUCTIONS IX THE WORK — MEMBERSHIP. 79 



INSTRUCTIONS IN THE WORK. 

391. Grand Master's duty to instruct. — He shall give 
such instruction from time to time in the work of the Order 
to the Deputies or to the Lodges as may be necessary. — 
Sec. 1, Art. iii., By-laws G. L. 

392. By the authority of the Grand Master the work 
is to be obeyed, and cannot be overruled by any officer. He 
is responsible to his Grand Lodge only for any error. He 
has a perfect right to overrule and set aside any instruction 
in the secret work given in the Subordinate Lodges under 
his jurisdiction by the Grand Sire, or any of his predeces- 
sors, where he may think they are erroneous. — 1872, p. 306. 

393. Subordinate Lodges cannot instruct their Repre- 
sentatives in voting for Grand Officers. A vote for Grand 
Officers is the prerogative of the Past Grand, not of the 
Lodge.— 1872, pp. 246, 300. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



394. Qualifications, etc. — Sec. 1. A candidate for initi- 
ation shall have attained the age of twenty-one years, and 
be of sound health, of good moral character, and believe in 
the existence of a Supreme Being, the Creator and Pre- 
server of the Universe, and be proposed in the Lodge 
nearest his residence, except that the Lodge grant permis- 
sion for his joining another Lodge. A person may be ad- 
mitted to any Lodge in the city or town in which he resides, 
but all candidates for initiation must reside in the State of 
New York, except such candidates as may apply from 
other States, who shall first procure permission from the 
Grand Lodge or Grand Master of said State to be initiated 
in this State. 

Sec. 2. The name of a person offered for membership, 
with his age, residence, and occupation, must be proposed 
by a member, in writing, signed by the applicant, and 
entered upon the record, and forthwith be referred to a 
committee of three members for investigation, who shall 
report at the next succeeding regular meeting, when the 
candidate shall be balloted for with ball ballots, and if not 
more than two black balls appear against him he shall be 



80 MEMBERSHIP. 



elected; but if three or more appear he shall be rejected, and 
so declared. 

Sec. 3. All candidates for membership by deposit of 
Card, or as Ancient Odd Fellows whose Cards have been 
granted more than twelve months, shall deposit their Cards 
with the proposition, or furnish satisfactory evidence that 
such Card has been lost, which shall be referred to a com- 
mittee of three, and in other respects disposed of as pro- 
vided by Section 2 for other applicants. 

Sec. 4. A reconsideration of an unfavorable ballot can 
be had only where all brothers who have cast black balls 
against the applicant for membership voluntarily make a 
motion for the reconsideration of the ballot ; in such case 
the vote on the reconsideration shall be by ball ballots, and 
if all the balls cast shall be in favor of it, the reconsider- 
ation shall be had; whereupon the application shall lie 
over till the succeeding regular meeting, when another 
ballot shall be had, with ball ballots, and if the same be 
unanimously in favor of the applicant he shall thereby be 
declared elected ; but if one or more black balls appear in 
either ballot the applicant shall be rejected; and never 
more than one reconsideration in the same case shall be 
allowed. Provided always, that such reconsideration shall 
be had within the four meeting nights succeeding the re- 
jection. A favorable ballot can be reconsidered at any 
meeting prior to the admission of the candidate, provided 
a majority of the members voting agree thereto. 

Sec. 5. When a candidate has been rejected, notice 
thereof shall be sent without delay by the Secretary to the 
candidate, and also to all Lodges in this county, and he 
cannot be proposed again in any Lodge for the space of six 
months after such rejection. This Section shall not apply 
to an applicant for admission by Card or Dismissal Certifi- 
cate, by reinstatement, or as an Ancient Odd Fellow, who 
may be proposed at any time after rejection. 

Sec. 6. A proposition for membership may be withdrawn 
previous to the report of the committee to whom it has 
been referred, but it cannot after the committee have once 
reported thereon. 

Sec. 7. Any member of this Lodge having been regularly 
expelled, or suspended on charges, or suspended for non- 
payment of dues, may be reinstated to his former condition 
by being duly proposed therefor at a regular meeting, and 
his case referred to a committee of three brothers, who shall 
report at the next regular meeting, when the vote shall be 



MEMBERSHIP 81 



taken by ball ballot. In the ease of a member who has 
been expelled or suspended on charges, if not more than 
two black balls appear in the ballot he shall be reinstated. 
In the case of a suspended member, if two-thirds of the 
members voting are in favor of the reinstatement it shall 
be made. Provided, that, in case of an expelled member, 
the vote for reinstatement shall not be final until approved 
by the District Grand Committee in which the Lodge is 
located. 

Sec. 8. A suspended or expelled member of another 
Lodge cannot be received in membership in this Lodge. — 
Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 



395. Minors cannot be admitted. — To initiate minors 
is in direct violation of the laws of the Order. But the 
standing of the minor thus illegally admitted cannot in any 
manner prejudice the subsequent election and admission of 
a person who was proposed by such minor while he was a 
member. — 1867, pp. 83, 153. 

396. Residence of applicant. — A person can send his 
petition to the Lodge nearest his residence without regard 
to District lines. As in other matters, the applicant has a 
right to consult his personal convenience. The question 
must be decided upon this point : Which Lodge is nearest 
his residence f not by air line, but by the usually traveled 
route. If an applicant living at Cohoes is nearer to a Lodge 
in Troy than any in his own District he has the right to go 
there, and the Lodge in Troy has the right* to receive him, 
regardless of District lines.— 1868, pp. 221, 273 ; 1873, pp. 
397, 468, 471; 1874, pp. 39, 163. 

397. Residence and consent. — A Lodge in one District 
has the right to initiate a candidate residing in another 
District of the same city without first asking permission of 
the Lodge nearest his residence. — 1871, pp. 20, 99. 

398. Residence in town. — A resident of a town (town- 
ship) may apply to any Lodge in his town and be legally 
a member thereof. The word " town" in Section 1, Article 
ii. of Constitution of Subordinates, does not mean village. — 
1874, pp. 43, 161. 

399. Application for permission to initiate is to be 
made to the Lodge nearest to the residence of the appli- 
cant, not to the D. D. G. M.— 1871, pp. 20, 99. 

6 



82 MEMBERSHIP. 



400. A candidate with a stiff hand or who has lost a 
limb. — The Lodge has the disposal of this question as it 
wills. The applicant is eligible for membership if the 
Lodge thinks proper to receive him. — 1874, pp. 41, 161. 

401. Foreign-born applicant. — A person born in a 
foreign country, if a resident of this country, although not 
a naturalized citizen, is eligible to membership. — 1874, pp. 
42, 161. 

402. Indians cannot be admitted. — An Indian cannot 
be initiated into the Order. The laws of our Order ex- 
pressly provide that Indians, half-breeds, males of mixed 
color, etc., cannot be received. — 1875, pp. 313, 438, 441. 

403. Colored members not to be admitted. — A colored 
man in possession of the Password and Explanation, and 
in all other respects shows himself a bona fide member of 
the Order, cannot be admitted to any Lodge of Odd Fel- 
lows in the State of New York.— 1876, pp. 566, 661, 672. 

404. Fraud in membership. — A member who has been 
proposed in a Lodge and rejected, and applying again in 
another Lodge before six months have expired, and becomes 
a member thereof, is guilty of fraud and liable to expul- 
sion.— 1876, pp. 572, 659, 664. 

1. APPLICATION AND PROCEEDINGS THEREON. 

405. Proposition. — The name of a person offered for 
membership, with his age, residence, and occupation, must 
be proposed by a member, in writing, signed by the ap- 
plicant, and entered upon the record, and forthwith be 
referred to a committee of three members for investigation, 
who shall report at the next succeeding regular meeting, 
when the candidate shall be balloted for with ball ballots, 
and if not more than two black balls appear against him he 
shall be elected ; but if three or more appear he shall be 
rejected, and so declared. — Sec. 2, Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

406. Ancient Odd Fellows. — All candidates for member- 
ship by deposit of Card, or as Ancient Odd Fellows whose 
Cards have been granted more than twelve months, shall 
deposit their Cards with the proposition, or furnish satis- 
factory evidence that such Card has been lost, which shall 



MEMBERSHIP. 83 



be referred to a committee of three, and in other respects 
disposed of as provided by Section 2 for other applicants. — 
Sec. 3, Art, ii., Const, Sub. L. 

407. A proposition for membership may be withdrawn 
previous to the report of the committee to whom it has 
been referred, but it cannot after the committee have once 
reported thereon. — Sec. 6, Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

408. Rejection. — When a candidate has been rejected 
notice thereof shall be sent without delay by the Secretary 
to the candidate, and also to all Lodges in this county, and 
he cannot be proposed again in any Lodge for the space of 
six months after such rejection. This Section shall not 
apply to an applicant for admission by Card or Dismissal 
Certificate, by reinstatement, or as an Ancient Odd Fellow, 
who may be proposed at any time after rejection. — Sec, 5, 
Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

409. To have a secret committee, in addition to the 
regular Committee of Investigation, to report privately to 
the Noble Grand, is contrary to the general principles of 
the Order, and therefore inexpedient. — 1874, p. 181. 

410. Application cannot be withdrawn without con- 
sent of the Lodge. — The petition of the applicant becomes 
the property of the Lodge by a vote on its reception and 
reference, and cannot be withdrawn without the consent of 
the Lodge.— 1868, pp. 220, 273. 

411. Withdrawal of proposition. — After a proposition 
has been withdrawn, before the report of the committee, 
the withdrawal cannot be reconsidered at a subsequent 
meeting, so that the committee could immediately report 
thereon.— 1875, pp. 304, 438, 441. 

412. May refuse to receive a proposition. — A Lodge 
may refuse to receive a proposition for membership or not, 
at its option ; but when received it must be referred to a 
committee. In case of the Lodge's refusal to receive, the 
applicant is not a rejected candidate, and it is not necessary 
to notify the Lodges in the District of the fact. The appli- 
cant stands as never proposed or rejected. — 1869, pp. 339, 
402, 404. 



84 MEMBERSHIP. 



413. Majority on the Committee on Application for 
Membership must unite in a report ; if they stand one and 
one it is no report. A majority must unite and agree, as 
the Lodge can only ballot on a majority report. — 1873, pp. 
393, 468, 471. 

414. Brothers with Cards to be examined. — Brothers 
with Cards are admitted under their Cards as depositors ; 
those without Cards are admitted as Ancient Odd Fellows. 
"When a brother claims to be an Ancient Odd Fellow it is 
the duty of the Lodge in which he applies for membership 
to make a thorough examination by a committee, as to the 
credibility of his claim. His statements are to be inquired 
into after the appointment of the committee and before 
the Lodge votes on his admission. — 1867, p. 159. 

415. All voting in Lodges for membership, either as 
initiates, Card depositors, or as Ancient Odd Fellows, is 
always by ball ballots and not otherwise. — 1867, p. 159. 

416. A Lodge is not required to notify a Rebekah 
Lodge of the suspension of a member for non-payment of 
dues.— 1880, p. 126. 

417. Reconsideration. — A reconsideration of an un- 
favorable ballot can be had only where all brothers who 
have cast black balls against the applicant for membership 
voluntarily make a motion for the reconsideration of the 
ballot ; in such case the vote on the reconsideration shall 
be by ball ballots, and if all the balls cast shall be in favor 
of it, the reconsideration shall be had ; whereupon the ap- 
plication shall lie over till the succeeding regular meeting, 
when another ballot shall be had, with ball ballots, and if 
the same be unanimously in favor of the applicant he shall 
thereby be declared elected ; but if one or more black balls 
appear in either ballot the applicant shall be rejected; and 
never more than one reconsideration in the same case shall 
be allowed. Provided always, that such reconsideration 
shall be had within the four meeting nights succeeding the 
rejection. A favorable ballot can be reconsidered at any 
meeting prior to the admission of the candidate, provided 
a majority of the members voting agree thereto. — Sec. 4, 
Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

418. A reconsideration of an unfavorable ballot being 
moved, was laid over for one week. At the next meeting, 



MEMBERSHIP. 



85 



no objection being made, the Noble Grand set aside the 
ballot ; a new one was taken and the candidate declared 
elected, and he was initiated. On appeal, the action of the 
Lodge was held to be irregular and illegal ; but the can- 
didate having been initiated his membership could not be 
disturbed.— 1869, p. 389. 

2. IRREGULAR OR ILLEGAL ADMISSION. 

419. Illegal admission ; return of fees. — A member who 
participated in the illegal division of the funds of his Lodge 
took a Card and afterwards joined another Lodge. His 
Card was demanded by the Grand Lodge and was surren- 
dered to it, and he was denied admission to the Lodge he 
had joined on that Card. By direction of the Grand Lodge 
the fee received on his admission by said Card was returned 
to him.— 1869, pp. 340, 402, 405. 

420. Case of illegal election. — A brother holding an 
unexpired Withdrawal Card presented the same for deposit. 
The Card was referred, reported on favorably, and a ballot 
taken, all in due form. The Xoble Grand declared the 
candidate duly elected, although there were four black and 
seventeen white ballots in the box. The candidate paid the 
fee, was admitted, signed the Constitution, and took his 
seat as a declared member of the Lodge. If the applicant 
was innocent of misrepresentation, and the illegality has 
been confined to the Lodge, it should not take advantage 
of its own wrong to set aside the ballot, order a new ballot, 
or return to the brother the fee and Card. — 1870, p. 552; 
1874, pp. 37, 161. 

421. Irregular admission. — A brother presented his 
Withdrawal Card to a Lodge which he had been active in 
organizing, and on the same night it was referred to a com- 
mittee. The Lodge having adopted no By-laws, the com- 
mittee reported the same night and the brother was elected. 
He signed the Constitution and paid his dues. Subse- 
quently, the legality of his election being questioned, the 
brother asked for his Card, which was given him by a vote 
of the Lodge. His signature to the Constitution remains 
and his dues are paid. On this state of facts he is still a 
member of the Lodge, he having acted in good faith. — 
1870, p. 552 ; 1873, pp. 396, 468, 471. 



86 MEMBERSHIP. 



3. REINSTATEMENT OP SUSPENDED MEMBERS. 

422. Sec. 7. Any member of this Lodge having been 
regularly expelled, or suspended indefinitely, may be rein- 
stated to his former condition by being duly proposed 
therefor at a regular meeting, and his case referred to a 
committee of three brothers, who shall report at the next 
regular meeting, when the vote shall be taken by ball 
ballot, and if two-thirds of the members voting are in favor 
of the reinstatement it shall be made. Provided that, in 
case of an expelled member, the vote for reinstatement 
shall not be final until approved by the District Grand 
Committee in which the Lodge is located. 

Sec. 8. A suspended or expelled member of another 
Lodge cannot be received in membership in this Lodge. — 
Sees. 7 and 8, Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

423. When a member reinstated forfeits his election. — 
A member who was suspended for non-payment of dues 
is subsequently proposed and elected for reinstatement, 
but does not present himself for admission. His election is 
subject to the same provision as that for candidates for 
initiation, unless otherwise provided for. — 1867, pp. 80, 153. 

4. ADMISSION OP MEMBERS OP EXTINCT OR 
MERGED LODGES. 

424. Members of merged or extinct Lodges can be 

reinstated by receiving from the Grand Secretary a Grand 
Lodge Card.— 1867, pp. 80, 153. 

425. Member of an extinct Lodge when books of the 
Lodge to which he belonged are lost. — The Grrand Master 
issued a Dispensation allowing a Lodge in this State to 
receive, either by initiation or as an Ancient Odd Fellow, 
as the case might warrant when presented, a member of an 
extinct Lodge in Canada; the books of the extinct Lodge 
had been lost, and for that reason a Card or certificate of 
his previous standing could not be obtained. — 1869, pp. 346, 
404, 407. 

426. Members suspended or expelled of defunct Lodges 

of another jurisdiction may be admitted to membership 
upon Cards issued by the Grand Officers of such jurisdic- 
tion, pursuant to law of Sovereign Grand Lodge. Any 



MEMBERSHIP. 87 



Lodge is authorized to receive such Cards. — 1869, pp. 347, 
404, 408. 

427. Expulsion reversed. — The action of a Lodge in 
expelling a member having been reversed by the District 
Grand Committee, it is the duty of the Lodge to im- 
mediately restore to membership and admit the brother, 
although the Lodge has taken an appeal to the Grand 
Lodge ; and if the Lodge, after notice of such reversal, 
refuses to restore or admit the brother, it is the duty of the 
D. D. G. M. to prefer charges against the Lodge. — 1875, pp. 
313, 338, 341. 

428. When a member by deposit of Card. — A brother 
who offers his Card for deposit, and at the same time pays 
the fees required of him by the By-laws of the Lodge for 
joining, becomes a member thereof when he is declared 
elected.— 1875, pp. 310, 439, 442. 

429. Members of resuscitated Lodges. — Those who 
were members of a Lodge previous to the surrender of its 
Charter, or prior to its ceasing to work, and not applicants 
for return of Charter and restoration of Lodge, must return 
to the Order through their former Lodge, if in good standing 
at the time of surrender or extinction, by reinstatement to 
membership in their former Lodge ; or, if they had become 
suspended for non-payment of dues, by the Lodge granting 
to them, on their application > Dismissal Certificates, for 
which they shall pay the sum of one dollar and price of 
certificate, if the By-laws so provide ; and such Dismissal 
Certificate can be received on deposit in the same manner 
and under the same regulations that a Withdrawal Card 
would, but does not entitle the holder to the Annual Travel- 
ing Password, or privilege to visit. — 1872, pp. 246, 300. 

430. Members of a resuscitated Lodge; Dismissal Cer- 
tificate. — A defunct Lodge having been resuscitated, a 
member who was in good standing at the time the Lodge 
became defunct applied for a Dismissal Certificate. It was 
held, on appeal to the Grand Master, that the brother did 
not hold such a relation to the new Lodge as to entitle him 
to a Dismissal Certificate. The claim for a Dismissal Cer- 
tificate can be made only by members suspended or dropped 
for non-payment of dues, which is not the case presented; 
the only course open to the brother is by a Grand Lodge 
Card.— 1873, pp. 394, 468, 471. 



88 MEMBERSHIP. 



5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 

431. Members admitted by deposit of Card. — A member 
joining a Lodge by deposit of Card cannot be required to 
take the O. B. N. anew. His former one is all that is neces- 
sary and holds good. — 1867, p. 153. 

432. Rights of members under charges undecided. — 
A brother under charges, and not decided, can prefer 
charges against another brother. He is innocent until 
proved guilty, and is entitled to all the privileges of the 
Order, except to receive a "Withdrawal or Visiting Card 
and eligibility to office, until his Lodge fully disposes of 
the charges against him. — 1870, p. 552. 

433. A brother under charges undecided has the right 
to prefer counter charges against the brother preferring 
charges against him. — 1870, pp. 495, 551. 

434. Admission to Lodge room without the Password 
when in arrears for dues. — A brother has the right to be 
admitted to his Lodge room after the Lodge is open, or to 
remain at the opening, until he is suspended by his Lodge 
for non-payment of dues or otherwise, whether he has the 
Password or not ; but he is not entitled to the Password if 
he is over thirteen weeks in arrears for dues. — 1867, pp. 
82, 153 ; 1868, p. 269 ; 1873, pp. 393, 468, 471. 

435. Cannot obtain the Password if in arrears for 

dues. — The Noble Grand of a Lodge has no authority to 
give the Password to a member of his own Lodge who is 
over thirteen weeks in arrears for dues. — 1871, pp. 20, 99, 102. 

436. Not compelled to vote at elections. — No brother 
can be compelled to vote at an election for officers ; what- 
ever he does must be voluntary, not compulsory. The 
Noble Grand has a right to decline voting as a private 
member; as an officer he could voluntarily decide questions 
by giving the casting vote, but on balloting, the ballot be- 
ing closed, he would have no right to vary the result. — 
1869, pp. 341, 402, 406. 

437. I. O. O. F. — No person has the right to use the 
initials of the Order unless permission has been given him 
by proper authority. — 1876, pp. 576, 659, 664. 



MEMBERSHIP. 89 



438. No objection to faith or creed of an applicant for 
membership. — No brother has the right to object to a can- 
didate for membership on account of his faith or creed, and 
a brother making use of such objection is liable to charges 
of conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow. — 1876, pp. 574, 575, 
659, 664. 

439. When a member resigns from a Lodge, and ap- 
plies for membership in another Lodge, the consent of the 
Lodge from which he resigned is not necessary. If the 
member holds a written resignation, duly certified, he can 
be admitted to another Lodge as an Ancient Odd Fellow. — 
1880, pp. 42, 112, 113. 

440. Honorary membership is unknown and unrecog- 
nized by the Order in the State of New York.— 1880, p. 127. 

441. The same law in reference to reception of mem- 
bers by initiation governs as to deposit of Card. — 1884, p. 
353. 

442. A suspended brother, on reinstatement, is not 
required to sign the Constitution of his Lodge. — 1885, p. 
570 ; 1892, p. 571. 

443. When a brother applies for reinstatement after 
suspension for non-payment of dues and is rejected, the 
money paid in by him on his application must be returned 
to him, although he is indebted to the Lodge in that 
amount,— 1889, p. 96. 

444. All applications for membership must be referred 
to an Investigating Committee, no matter how many there 
may be.— 1891, pp. 90, 254. 

445. An applicant for membership must be proposed 
in the Lodge nearest his residence, unless that Lodge grants 
consent to another Lodge to admit him. This rule is not 
to apply when the nearest Lodge is in the town where he 
resides, but in another town. He may elect, where there are 
two or more Lodges in his town, to apply to either of them. 
But a Lodge has not the right to accept a member within 
the jurisdiction of another Lodge without its consent. — 
1891, pp. 91, 92, 254. 



90 MEMBERSHIP. 



_ 446. No honorary membership is permitted in Subor- 
dinate or Kebekah Lodges. — 1891, pp. 92, 254. 

447. No religious qualification for membership is re- 
quired, except a belief in a Supreme Being. Ministers of 
the Gospel are admitted the same as all others, and they 
pay the same fees. — 1891, pp. 93, 254. 

448. An Investigating Committee have the right to 
an extension of time to report when they require it. A 
failure to report at the next meeting after their appoint- 
ment does not invalidate the application. There may be 
a majority and minority report thereon. Their report 
must be received and a ballot taken, unless the report has 
been referred back to the committee. — 1891, pp. 93, 254. 

449. Application for membership is not invalidated by 
failure of Investigating Committee to report thereon at 
next meeting after their appointment. — 1891, p. 93; 1893, 
pp. 92, 143. 

450. The ballot on candidates is a trust, not a privi- 
lege; but members should not cast white or black balls on 
personal grounds, but as the good of the Order may require. 
—1891, pp. 94, 254. 

451. A candidate having been elected, refusing to 
answer the questions, has a right to be initiated if he re- 
turns and answers the same at any time before the limit of 
time prescribed by the By-laws has expired, unless a recon- 
sideration of the ballot be moved, ordered, and rejection 
follows on the ballot being taken. — 1891, pp. 95, 254. 

452. A brother having failed to pay his initiation fee 
in full, through no fault of his, has been a member for a 
number of years, and now a Past Grand. His standing in 
the Lodge is the same as if no mistake had been made. 
The Lodge cannot take advantage of its own mistake after 
material lapse of time. — 1891, pp. 95, 254. 

453. The New York Grand Lodge has never taken 
action providing for the admission of ministers of the 
Gospel to membership free of charge. The Sovereign 
Grand Lodge enactment in that regard is not applicable in 



MEMBERSHIP. 91 



this jurisdiction, but ministers must pay fees the same as 
any other applicants.— 1891, p. 93; 1893, p. 92, 143. 

454. In balloting for candidates the Warden should 
submit the box first to the Vice Grand, then to the Noble 
Grand, for inspection. The members should then ballot. 
Ballot being closed, the Warden should then submit the 
ballot for inspection as to the result, first to the Vice Grand, 
then to the Noble Grand, who announces the same. The 
Vice Grand remains mute, unless to correct the statement 
if not correct. No member can legally question the reason 
or cause of black balls. On a motion for reconsideration 
of an unfavorable ballot, all who cast the black balls must 
unite in the motion. A favorable ballot may be recpn- 
sidered if a majority of the members present vote in favor 
of the same. The Noble Grand has no right to refuse to 
entertain the motion. Under our laws every member in 
good standing must vote on a question pending before the 
Lodge, unless interested or excused from voting. — 1891, 
pp. 94, 254. 

455. A member on admission must accept and sign 
the Constitution and By-laws as they are, without qualifi- 
cation or reservation. — 1891, pp. 95, 96, 254. 

456. A member who joins a Lodge by Card, Dismissal 
Certificate, reinstatement (except a brother of the Lodge 
suspended for non-payment of dues), or as an Ancient 
Odd Fellow, must sign the Constitution the same as one by 
initiation. — 1891, pp. 96, 254. 

457. A member not under charges, and clear on the 
books of his Lodge, may withdraw therefrom by With- 
drawal Card. If the Card be refused on application he 
may appeal or resign, and receive a Certificate of Resigna- 
tion; or he may resign without making application for 
Withdrawal Card, and he may thereupon apply for mem- 
bership to the nearest Lodge or to other Lodge in the city 
or town of his residence. — 1891, pp. 97, 254. 

458. A member in arrears, not in good standing, has 
no right to vote on any question before the Lodge ; and if 
he be a Past Grand he has no right to vote for Grand 
Officers.— 1891, pp. 104, 254. 



92 NAMES OF LODGES. 



459. An expelled member may be proposed for rein- 
statement by any member of the Lodge. The proposition 
must be referred to a committee of three members, and on 
their favorable report a ballot must be taken, a two-third 
vote being requisite for reinstatement. If the result is 
favorable the action must be reported to the D. D. GL M., 
who shall submit the same to the District Grand Commit- 
tee, when, if they approve the action by vote, the rein- 
statement is complete on record of the facts on the records 
of the Lodge.— 1891, pp. 99, 254. 

460. A member being expelled, it requires reversal of 
expulsion on appeal to reinstate him, unless the Lodge 
shall reinstate by vote and the approval of the District 
Grand Committee. No agreement of parties or of the Lodge 
can effect his reinstatement, or compel him to leave his 
Lodge if reinstated, unless he wishes to do so. — 1891, pp. 
99, 100, 254. 

461. No member has the right to address Lodges in 
behalf of a candidate for political office, nor should a D. D. 
Gr. M. so address the Lodge or Lodges in his charge, not- 
withstanding that the candidate may be a worthy member 
of the Order.— 1891, pp. 109, 254. 

462. A Third Degree Member is entitled at all times to 
admission into a Lodge on properly proving himself, ex- 
cept during the opening, closing, and initiatory ceremony. 
—1891, pp. 109, 254. 

463. A person interested in the sale or manufacturing 
of intoxicating liquors is eligible for membership in the 
Order.— 1892, pp. 475, 567. 

464. A candidate may be initiated the same night he is 
elected, unless the By-laws of the Lodge provide other- 
wi se ._1893, pp. 41, 142. 



NAMES OF LODGES. 

465. The name of a living person not to be given to a 
Lodge. — Until otherwise directed by the Grand Lodge, the 
name of any living person shall not be inserted in any 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 93 



Charter or Dispensation as the name of any Subordinate 
Lodge that may be authorized to be opened in this juris- 
diction.— 1871, p. 122. 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 
1. THEIR ELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS. 

466. Elective Officers. — Sec. 1. The elective officers of 
this Grand Lodge shall be as follows : The Grand Master,. 
Deputy Grand Master, Grand Warden, Grand Secretary, 
Grand Treasurer, and two Grand Representatives to the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows — who shall severally hold their offices for one year, 
except the Grand Representatives, one of whom shall be 
elected each year, to serve for two years. Elections for 
officers shall be held in such manner as shall be prescribed 
by the By-laws. 

Appointed Officers. — Sec. 2. The following officers shall 
be appointed by the Grand Master, by and with the con- 
sent of the Grand Lodge, viz.: Grand Chaplain, Grand 
Marshal, Grand Conductor, Grand Guardian, Grand Herald, 
and a District Deputy Grand Master for each District. 

'Eligibility. — Sec. 3. No Past Grand shall be eligible for 
any elective Grand Office unless he has been a member of 
this Grand Lodge for one year, and attained such degrees 
as by virtue of his office he may confer upon others. The 
candidates for Grand Representatives shall have attained 
the Royal Purple Degree, and must be members in good 
standing in a Subordinate Encampment. 

Standing Committee. — Sec. 4. The elective Grand Officers, 
except the Grand Representatives, shall constitute the 
Standing Committee, to act in the recess of the annual 
sessions of the Grand Lodge, and perform such duties 
as may be assigned to them. The Grand Master shall be 
chairman of said committee, and he may call meetings 
thereof at his discretion. 

Removal of. — Sec. 5. Any Grand Officer may be removed 
from his office for conduct unworthy of his standing in the 
Order, or for inattention to the duties of his office; but he 
shall be entitled to a fair trial, and two-thirds of the indi- 
vidual votes of the Representatives present are necessary 
for removal. 



94 OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 

Charges. — Sec. 6. Should the Grand Master he under 
charges, a Past Grand Master shall preside while any ques- 
tion arising therefrom shall be under consideration. 

Vacancies. — Sec. 7. A vacancy in the office of D. D. G. M. 
shall be filled by the Grand Master for the residue of the 
term of the former incumbent. Vacancies in the other 
Grand Offices, except that of Grand Master, shall be filled 
by the Grand Lodge, if in session; if not, then by the 
Standing Committee, and for the remainder of the term of 
the former incumbent. — Art. iii., Const. G. L. 

467. Nominations. — Sec. 1. Nominations of candidates 
for all elective Grand Offices shall be made as follows : 
Every District Grand Committee may, by the votes of a 
majority of the members present at the annual meeting, 
nominate one candidate for each of the elective Grand 
Offices, which nominations shall be certified to the Grand 
Secretary before the first Monday in April in each year. 
"Whereupon it shall be the duty of the Grand Secretary to 
forward to each Past Grand so nominated immediate notice 
thereof, who should signify by letter to the Grand Secre- 
tary his acceptance or declination of such nomination 
before the first day of May following. The Grand Secre- 
tary shall on that day issue a circular to each Subordinate 
Lodge and D. D. G. M., containing the names of all the can- 
didates who have accepted their nomination, and by what 
committees nominated, together with the names and 
numbers of the Lodges to which they are attached and the 
location thereof. 

Elections. — Sec. 2. At the second stated meeting of each 
Subordinate Lodge in the month of June, the Past Grands 
in good standing in each Lodge may (by ballot) vote for 
such candidates for the several elective offices of this Grand 
Lodge as were previously nominated in the manner pre- 
scribed in the foregoing Section. As soon as the poll is 
closed in each Lodge the vote shall be counted ; and the 
poll-list, which shall be kept by the Secretary of the Lodge, 
and contain the names of the Past Grands present and 
voting, and the result of the vote, shall be certified by the 
Noble Grand and the Secretary, under the seal of the 
Lodge ; and the Secretary shall immediately forward the 
same to the Grand Secretary in a sealed envelope, ad- 
dressed to the Committee on Election Returns, and which, 
when received, shall be kept so sealed by the Grand Secre- 
tary until the first day of the Grand Lodge session, when 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 95 

they shall be handed over to said committee, who shall 
then proceed to open and canvass the same, as provided by 
next Section. The said officers of the Lodge shall also 
prepare a duplicate copy of said poll-list, and forward the 
same to the Grand Master, sealed, who shall keep the same 
sealed np until the session of the Grand Lodge, when such 
duplicates shall be handed over to the same committee. 

Canvass of Votes. — Sec. 3. On the first day of the annual 
session the votes for elective Grand Officers shall be can- 
vassed in the Grand Lodge. No vote shall be valid or re- 
corded as a part of the poll unless it be for a regularly 
nominated qualified candidate. A majority of all the votes 
returned shall be necessary to a choice. In case neither 
candidate shall have received a majority, the Representa- 
tives present shall forthwith proceed to vote, by ballot, for 
a choice from the candidates in nomination ; and in case 
no choice is made on the first ballot, then the balloting 
shall be confined to the two candidates having received the 
greatest number of votes in the Grand Lodge. Such can- 
vass and election shall be the first business after the or- 
ganization of the Grand Lodge. 

D. D. G. M's. — Sec. 4. The recommendation of a D. D. 
G. M. for each District shall be made at the annual meeting 
of the Grand Committee, and the same shall be immedi- 
ately sent to the Grand Secretary, to be delivered to the 
Grand Master elect on his installation. — Art. ii., By-laws G.L. 

468. Indorsement on envelope. — Resolved, That under 
and in pursuance of Section 2, Art. ii. of the By-laws of 
this Grand Lodge, as amended and adopted at this annual 
session, the Secretary of each Subordinate Lodge is hereby 
required to indorse on each sealed envelope inclosing the 
election returns the words, u Duplicate Election Returns of 

Lodge, No. — "; and that each D. D. G.M. who shall 

receive the election returns, as provided in said Section, is 
hereby directed to forward the same to the Grand Master, 
so as to be in his possession at or before the opening of 
each annual session of this Grand Lodge. — 1873, p. 487. 

469. The Grand Master appoints D. D. G. M's.— The 
law at present gives to the Grand Master the appointment 
of District Deputy Grand Masters. The action of the Dis- 
trict Grand Committee in reference to those officers is 
merely recommendatory. The Grand Master may appoint 
or not, as he may see proper. — 1872, pp. 301, 303. 



96 OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 

470. When Withdrawal Card does not vacate the 
office of D. D. G. M. — In case a brother while holding the 
office of D. D. G. M. shonld take a Withdrawal Card from 
his Lodge, his office does not become vacant thereby, pro- 
vided he immediately deposits the same with an application 
for a new Charter; but in the interim he can discharge no 
official act.— 1871, pp. 19, 99. 

2. THEIR DUTIES AND POWERS. 

471. Grand Master.— Sec. 1. To the Grand Master 
belongs the general supervision of the Lodge branch of the 
Order throughout this State. He shall, if present, preside 
at the sessions of the Grand Lodge, preserve order therein, 
and enforce a due observance of the Constitution and laws 
of the Sovereign Grand Lodge and of this Grand Lodge. 
All questions of order, and all decisions made by him on 
any point growing out of the Constitution or laws of this 
Grand Lodge, shall be subject to appeal from his decision 
to the Grand Lodge, and be obeyed until reversed ; and it- 
shall be his duty to put the question on all such appeals to 
the Grand Lodge. He may appoint all Grand Officers pro 
tern., and all committees not otherwise provided for in the 
Constitution or ordered by the Grand Lodge ; he shall give 
the casting vote in all cases when the votes are equally 
divided, except in cases of the election of officers. After 
any sum of money shall have been voted he shall order the 
Grand Treasurer to pay the same. He may grant dispen- 
sations, on the application of a Subordinate Lodge, to con- 
fer or have conferred the degrees on its members without 
delay; he may in person confer the Official Degrees. He 
shall decide all appeals on questions of law which may be 
made to him from the decisions of the District Deputy 
Grand Masters; he shall receive and act upon all com- 
plaints which may be made to him against District Deputy 
Grand Masters; Lodges, or District Grand Committees ; he 
shall give such instruction from time to time in the work 
of the Order to the Deputies or to the Lodges as may be 
necessary. When officially visiting the District Grand 
Committees or Subordinate Lodges, he shall be received 
with the Honors of the Order. — Art. iii., By-laws G. *L. 

472. A Grand Master has the right and power to direct 
a Lodge to declare a ballot irregular and void. He may 
get his evidence of facts from the records or elsewhere. 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 97 

He must have facts, no matter where he finds them. — 1870, 
pp. 548, 549. 

473. Powers of Grand Master, where derived from. — 
The powers of the Grand Master are derived from the Con- 
stitution and the laws of the Order. — 1870, pp. 548, 549. 

474. The Grand Master has no power to require a Sub- 
ordinate Lodge to refuse admittance to a member who, it 
is claimed, has been illegally reinstated, after such member 
has been notified by the Secretary of the Lodge of his re- 
instatement, and after he has paid his reinstatement fee 
and has received the Password. — 1870, pp. 548, 549. 

475. The Grand Master has no power to suspend a 
Lodge. — The Grand Master has not the power to suspend 
a Lodge or demand its Charter during the recess of the 
Grand Lodge.— 1870, p. 549. 

476. The Grand Master may remove a D. D. G. M. — 

Any D. D. G. M. may be removed from office by the Grand 
Master for neglect of duty or refusal to perforin the duties 
enjoined on said officer by law.— 1872, p. 302. 

477. The Grand Master may appoint a D. D. G. M. 

without the recommendation of the District Grand Com- 
mittee.— 1872, p. 301. 

478. The Grand Master has no right to preside at a 
meeting of a District Grand Committee. — 1891, pp. 218, 240. 

479. Resolved, That hereafter our Grand Masters be 
requested not to place in their annual reports decisions 
made by them on questions of law which have previously 
been decided upon by this Grand Lodge, unless there may 
be doubts as to their correctness and a change is absolutely 
necessary in their opinion.— 1893, p. 92. 

480. Deputy Grand Master.— Sec. 2. The Deputy Grand 
Master shall assist the Grand Master, and preside during 
his absence. In the event of a vacancy in the office of 
Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master shall become 
Grand Master for the balance of the term. — Art. iii., By- 
laws G. L. 



98 OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 

481. Grand Warden.— Sec. 3. The Grand Warden shall 
assist the Grand Master in conducting the business of the 
Grand Lodge; he shall, under the Grand Master, have 
special charge of the door; and in the absence of the Grand 
Master and Deputy Grand Master he shall preside. — Art. 
iii., By-laws G. L. 

482. Grand Secretary. — Sec. 4. The Grand Secretary 
shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge at every session, and transmit, at an early 
date after the close of the session, one printed copy thereof 
to each of the Grand Officers, Representatives, Past Grand 
Masters, District Deputy Grand Masters, District Grand 
Committees, and Subordinate Lodges. He shall keep the 
accounts between the Grand Lodge and its Subordinates, 
receive all moneys coming to the Grand Lodge therefrom, 
and pay the same over to the Grand Treasurer monthly. 
He shall issue all necessary notices and circulars to Subor- 
dinates, and to the District Grand Committees and Repre- 
sentatives. He shall provide all stationery for the use of 
the Grand Lodge, and superintend such printing as the 
Grand Lodge may direct, and all blank forms of returns 
and certificates required for Lodges. He shall perform 
such other duties as, by the laws and regulations of the 
Order, appertain to his office, and as the Grand Lodge may 
from time to time direct. He shall be entitled to such salary 
as may be determined upon at each annual session, payable 
monthly. He shall, previous to his installation, give bonds 
to the first three named Grand Officers, in such form and 
penalty as the Grand Lodge shall approve of, for the faith- 
ful discharge of his duties. — Art. iii, By-laws G. L. 

483. Grand Treasurer. — Sec. 5. The Grand Treasurer 
shall receive and take charge of all the moneys belonging 
to the Grand Lodge, and deposit the same in the name of 
the Grand Treasurer, in trust for the Grand Lodge of New 
York, 1. 0. O. F. ; pay all orders drawn on him by the Grand 
Master, under the seal of the Grand Lodge and attested by 
the Grand Secretary ; make such investment of the funds 
as the Grand Lodge may direct ; keep his accounts in such 
manner as will exhibit the sources of revenue and by whom 
paid, the purposes and amounts of disbursements and to 
whom paid ; have his accounts closed up on the first day 
of August annually, and submit them to the Committee on 
Finance previous to the annual session for examination and 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 99 

audit ; and present to the Grand Lodge a full report 
in detail of the receipts and disbursements, with vouch- 
ers, as an exhibit of his books of account for the fiscal 
year. He shall attend all regular sessions of the Grand 
Lodge. He shall, previous to installation, give bonds to 
the three first named Grand Officers, in such form and 
penalty as the Grand Lodge may approve of, for the faith- 
ful performance of his duties. — Art. iii., By-laws G. L. 

484. Grand Representatives. — Sec. 6. The Grand Repre- 
sentatives shall attend the meetings of the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge of the I. 0. O. F., and shall report to this Grand 
Lodge of such matters and things transacted before the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the I. 0. 0. F. as may affect this 
Grand Lodge or the general well-being of the Order. — Art. 
iii., By-laws G. L. 

485. Grand Chaplain. — Sec. 7. The Grand Chaplain 
shall attend the sessions of the Grand Lodge for the pur- 
pose of opening and closing the same according to the 
duties of his office. — Art. iii., By-laws G. L. 

486. Grand Marshal.— Sec. 8. The Grand Marshal shall 
introduce the new members for the Grand Lodge Degree, 
and assist the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Warden in 
the Grand Lodge. He is expected to attend the Grand 
Master in his official visits to the Subordinates, issue his 
proclamations when necessary, and obey his commands. 
He will take charge of all public processions of this Grand 
Lodge. — Art. iii., By-laws G. L. 

487. Grand Conductor. — Sec. 9. The Grand Conductor 
shall assist the Grand Marshal in the discharge of his 
duties, and perform such other appropriate service as the 
Grand Lodge or Grand Master may direct. — Art. iii., By- 
laws G. L. 

488. Grand Guardian. — Sec. 10. The Grand Guardian 
shall attend at the inner door of the Grand Lodge during 
its sessions, and permit none to enter or retire without the 
consent of the Grand Master and Grand Warden, and in 
accordance with the usages of the Order. — Art. iii., By- 
laws G. L. 



100 OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 

489. Grand Herald.— Sec. 11. The Grand Herald shall 
attend each meeting of the Grand Lodge ; he shall securely 
gnard the outer door of the Lodge room; he shall permit 
no one to enter without examination and receiving the re- 
quired evidence of good standing. He shall receive the 
Cards of traveling brothers desirous to visit this Grand 
Lodge, and deliver them to the Grand Guardian to be laid 
before the Grand Lodge. He shall receive such compensa- 
tion for his services at the session as the Grand Lodge 
may direct. — Art. iii., By-laws G. L. 

490. District Deputy Grand Masters.— Sec. 12. The 
District Deputy Grand Masters shall preside at all meetings 
of the District Grand Committees of their respective Dis- 
tricts, and preserve order and decorum therein, and enforce 
due observance of the Constitution and By-laws of the 
Grand Lodge ; be the organs of the Grand Master with 
the Subordinates in their Districts; have power to call 
special sessions of the District Grand Committees when 
necessary ; to grant dispensations to Subordinate Lodges 
in their Districts for granting certificates for more than 
one degree in less time than may be otherwise permitted, 
when the circumstances require or warrant it. They shall 
be responsible that the work of the Order is performed 
uniformly and strictly in accordance with the Rituals ; con- 
fer the Official Degrees on past officers ; install the officers 
of the Lodges under their charge, or cause the same to be 
done by a competent Past Grand ; decide all questions of 
law that may be submitted to them by Lodges, or members 
thereof, under their charge, and report semi-annually to 
the Grand Master thereof. They shall report forthwith to 
the Grand Master all cases of violation by Subordinates of 
the laws of the Grand Lodge, or of disobedience to its law- 
ful commands, or of those of the District Grand Committee. 
And any D. D. G. M. may be removed from said office, by 
the Grand Master, for neglect of duty or refusal to perform 
the duties enjoined on said officer by law. No compen- 
sation shall be allowed by the Grand Lodge for the per- 
formance of any of the duties hereby assigned. — Art. iii., 
By-laws G. L. 

491. Generally. — Sec. 13. All Grand Officers shall, in 
addition to the duties specified in these By-laws, perform 
such other duties appertaining to their office as the Grand 
Lodge may enjoin. — Art. iii., By-laws G. L. 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 101 

492. An officer of the Grand Lodge, unless a Regular 
or Proxy Representative, cannot serve upon any regular 
committee of the Grand Lodge. — 1882, p. 514. 

493. The Grand Secretary shall keep a stock account 
book, in which shall be entered all supplies received by 
him, the date and cost price thereof ; and also all sales made 
by him, to whom, the date thereof, and the prices received. 
—1882, p. 539. 

494. A Grand Master has the power and legal right 
to stop payment of a bill approved by the Finance Com- 
mittee, by refusal to draw or sign the necessary warrant, 
where the same is in violation of law of the Grand Lodge. 
—1884, p. 353, 354. 

495. The Grand Secretary is not obliged to furnish cer- 
tified copies of proceedings and evidence in an appeal case 
which has been before the Grand Lodge for decision. — 1891, 
pp. 76, 257. 

496. The Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge are 

authorized and directed to make arrangements for proper 
newspaper and press reports of the proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge, without expense to the Grand Lodge. — 1890, 
p. 420. 

497. A Grand Master cannot interfere during the prog- 
ress of a trial, no matter what irregularity may be com- 
mitted.— 1892, pp. 475, 567. 

498. The Grand Master's decision on any matter is 
binding on a Lodge until reversed by the Grand Lodge, 
and in the interim the Lodge must conform thereto. — 1891, 
pp. 75, 260. 

499. Any member of the Order has a right to submit 
to the Grand Master any question of law which he may 
desire to have a decision upon. The Grand Master has the 
option to render decision thereon.^1891, pp. 75, 76, 257. 

500. A D. D. G. M. has no right to take the chair of 
the Noble Grand of a Lodge for the purpose of maintain- 
ing order, or for any other purpose, except to confer the 



102 OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE, 



degrees or for installation of officers. — 1870, pp. 548, 549 ; 
1874, p. 164. 

501. District Deputy Grand Master's dispensation for 
degrees. — Under Section 12 of Article iii. of the By-laws of 
the Grand Lodge a D. D. G. M. has the right or power to 
grant a dispensation to a Lodge in his District for granting 
a certificate for all the degrees at any time ; that is, it can 
be done on the same night of the initiation of the brother. — 
1870, pp. 548, 549. 

502. Can a D. D. G. M. hold the office of Noble Grand 
in a Subordinate Lodge? — There is no law or adjudication 
against it; but it is highly improper, inconsistent, and inex- 
pedient to do so during his official term. — 1871, pp. 18, 99. 

503. A Past Grand of a Lodge under Dispensation is 
eligible to D. D. G. M. — A Past Grand belonging to a Lodge 
working under a Dispensation granted by the Standing 
Committee of the Grand Lodge is entitled to hold the office 
of D.D. G.M.— 1871, pp. 22, 100. 

504. A D. D. G. M. is not suspended during the trial.— 
Where a D. D. G. M. is under charges for conduct unbecom- 
ing an Odd Fellow he is not suspended during the pen- 
dency of the same, and he can install the officers elect in 
his District the same as if no charges were pending. — 1871, 
pp. 23. 100. 

505. A D. D. G. M. may decide questions of law sub- 
mitted to him by Lodges or members, although there is a 
statement of facts upon which the question of law arises. 
Questions of law for appeal arise only upon a given state- 
ment of facts and circumstances. These the D. D. G. M. is 
to investigate and decide the law applicable thereto. — 1874, 
pp. 44, 161, 179. 

506. Charge Book for D. D. G. M.— Each District Grand 
Committee is authorized to procure one copy of Charge 
Book of Subordinate Lodges for the use of the D.D.G.M. — 

1874, p. 151. 

[ " It is unlawful to furnish Rituals to D. D. G. M's."— 
Sov. G. L., 1888, Sec. 942 Digest.] 

507. District Deputy Grand Masters are officers of the 
Grand Lodge.— 1876, pp. 567, 661, 672. 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 103 



508. A D. D. G. M. may make verbal decisions in a 
Subordinate Lodge, if made in his official capacity, in his 
own District.— 1875, pp. 308, 438, 441. 

509. A D.D. G. M., when visiting his own Lodge offi- 
cially, cannot take part in the proceedings of the Lodge. — 
1876, pp. 566, 659, 664. 

510 A D. D. G. M. cannot charge his District for his 
expenses while in the performance of his official duties. — 
1876, pp. 560, 659, 664. 

511. Charges against a Rebekah Lodge for services. — 
A I). D. Gr. M. cannot charge a Rebekah Lodge for his ex- 
penses in rendering services at the request of the Lodge. — 
1876, pp. 560, 659, 664. 

512. Direct Lodges not to admit an expelled member. — 
A D. D. Gr.M. should not instruct a Lodge not to admit an 
expelled member during an appeal. — 1875, pp. 304, 438, 441. 

513. A D. D. G. M. cannot charge his District for ex- 
penses for official visits, for attending the Grand Lodge, 
for his traveling expenses at installation of officers, or for 
anv other purpose, except the institution of Lodges. — 1876, 
pp*. 558, 559, 560, 659, 664, 672; 1879, p. 616. 

514. Communications from District Deputy Grand 
Masters need not necessarilv be under seal to make them 
official.— 1876, pp. 561, 659, 6(54. 

515. Official recognition of D. D. G. M.— If a District 
Deputy Grand Master desires to be recognized officially he 
should, on entering a Lodge in his District, announce him- 
self as the Deputy; and if he desires to communicate 
officially with the Lodge in session he must announce his 
presence as Deputv, and have it so recorded in the books 
of the Lodge.— 1875, pp. 303, 438, 441. 

516. Suspension of D. D. G. M. — A District Deputy 
Grand Master is not suspended from his office while under 
charges, and he can perform all the duties of the office as 
if no charges were preferred or pending. — 1871, pp. 23, 100. 



104 OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 

517. A D. D. G. M. cannot act in his own Lodge as one 

of the Trial Committee on charges against one of its mem- 
bers.— 1876, pp. 567, 661, 672. 

518. A D. D. G. M. has no right to organize a staff to 
visit Lodges, except for institntions and installations. — 
1884, p. 352. 

519. A D. D. G. M. must install the officers of a Lodge, 

though refusing to pav an assessment of District Grand 
Committee.— 1885, pp. 497, 562. 

520. The D. D. G. M. would be justified in refusing to 
install officers in a Lodge who are incompetent to qualify 
themselves for the positions to which they had been 
elected.— 1885, pp. 497, 562. 

521. The D. D. G. M. has no power to grant dispensa- 
tions to a person or Lodge belonging outside of his Dis- 
trict.— 1885, pp. 562, 563. 

522. The D. D. G. M. and his staff, entering a Lodge 
when in session for any purpose, should address the 
Chairs, same as any other member. — 1.891, pp. 77, 257. 

523. There is no limitation of time imposed on a D. D. 
G. M. for a decision of an appeal properly before him. — 
1891, pp. 77, 254. 

524. The D. D. G. M. should not confer the Past Noble 
Grand Degree outside of District Grand Committee session, 
unless the good of the Order requires him to do so. — 1891, 
pp. 77, 254. 

525. A question of law being submitted verbally to a 
D. D. G. M. while present in a Lodge, he is not obliged to 
give a verbal reply to the same. He may require that the 
question be submitted in writing for a written decision. — 
1891, pp. 78, 254. 

526. A D. D. G. M. does not vacate his office as such by 
removal from the territory which constitutes his District. — 
1891, pp. 78, 254. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 105 



527. A D. D. G. M. expelled by his Lodge must accept 
the expulsion until reversed on appeal, and pending such 
appeal and decision thereon he cannot exercise the duties of 
the office.— 1891, pp. 78, 254. 

528. A D. D. G. M. taking a Withdrawal Card does not 
vacate his office if within one month he offers it for de- 
posit with another Lodge, or deposits it with the Grand Sec- 
retary on an application for a Charter for a new Lodge, and 
his membership in such other Lodge or the new Lodge be 
regularly perfected thereupon thereafter. — 1891, pp. 78, 254. 

529. A D. D. G. M., where he finds a Lodge room inse- 
cure, his orders in the premises in making the room secure 
must be obeyed by the Lodge, until otherwise reversed by 
the Grand Master.— 1891, pp. 86, 254. 

530. The D. D. G. M. decides whether or not the degrees 
shall be conferred in less time than the laws permit, and if 
he approves the dispensation must be granted by him. — 
1891, pp. 90, 254. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

531. Elective. — Sec. 1. The elective officers of this Lodge 
shall consist of a Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Secretary, and 
Treasurer, who shall serve a regular term each. When 
deemed necessary, the Lodge may elect a Permanent Sec- 
retary, in addition, to serve twelve months. 

Appointed. — Sec. 2. The appointed officers shall consist 
of a Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, Inside Guar- 
dian, Right Supporter of Noble Grand, Left Supporter of 
Noble Grand, Right Supporter of Vice Grand, Left Sup- 
porter of Vice Grand, and Right and Left Scene Support- 
ers, who shall serve a regular term each. The Lodge may 
appoint, at its option, a Chaplain for a similar term. 

Duties — Sec. 3. The duties of the various officers shall 
be as laid down in the Charges of their office, and as speci- 
fied by these Articles and By-laws of the Lodge. 

Eligibility .—Sec. 4. A brother shall not be eligible to the 
chair of Noble Grand unless he has served a regular term 
as Vice Grand, nor shall any brother be eligible as Vice 
Grand unless he has served a term in some inferior office, 
other than the offices of Permanent Secretary and Chaplain. 



106 OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

Clear of Charges. — Sec. 5. All officers shall be clear of 
charges on the books and have attained the Degree of 
Truth previous to installation. 

Nominations. — Sec. 6. Nominations for elective officers 
shall be made at the two meetings immediately preceding 
that of the regular election, except when the nominees for 
an office all decline. 

Election. — Sec. 7. Officers shall be elected at the last 
regular meeting in each term, and shall be installed at the 
first meeting in the succeeding term. 

Vacant. — Sec. 8. Any officer who shall, through neglect, 
absent himself for three successive meetings, his seat may 
be declared vacant by a two-third vote of the Lodge. 

Vacancies filled. — Sec. 9. Vacancies in any elective office 
may be filled by the Lodge at the next regular meeting 
after such vacancy has been declared, and the member who 
may serve in such office for the residue of the term shall 
be entitled to the honors of the full term, and shall be en- 
titled to and receive a certificate signed by the Noble Grand 
and Secretary showing such service. 

Committees. — Sec. 10. The Noble Grand, or officer acting 
as such, shall appoint the majority, and the Vice Grand, or 
officer acting in his stead, the minority of all committees 
on candidates. — Art. iii., Const. Sub. L. 

532. The Noble Grand to declare the result of a ballot. 
— The Noble Grand of a Lodge being the officer responsible 
for the regularity of its proceedings, it is his prerogative to 
determine and declare the result of all ballots and votes. — 
1867, pp. 142, 152. 



533. The Vice Grand may make known the result of 
a ballot. — The By-laws of a Lodge may provide that "the 
Vice Grand shall make known the result to the Lodge " in 
the case of balloting for members. — 1868, pp. 268, 269, 270 ; 
1874, pp. 39, 161, 225. 

534. The Noble Grand to vote in his Lodge. — It is the 

right of the Noble Grand of a Lodge to vote in like man- 
ner as other members on all ballots, and on all questions 
upon which the vote is taken by yeas and nays, except 
upon an appeal from his decision or confirmation of a 
committee appointed by him. — 1867, pp. 142, 152. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 107 



535. Treasurer of a Lodge not required to pay interest. 
— It is inconsistent with the legal relations existing be- 
tween the Lodge and its Treasurer to require him to pay 
interest on any portion of the funds in. his hands. — 1867, 
pp. 142, 152. 

536. No salary to Recording Secretary. — It is incon- 
sistent with the usages of the Order to provide by law for 
the payment of a salary to the Recording Secretary of a 
working Lodge, unless he shall also perform the duties of 
Permanent Secretary. — 1867, pp. 142, 152. 

537. Fine on Sitting Past Grand. — The decision of the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge, that " the Junior Past Grand is 
not strictly an officer of the Lodge, but it is his duty to 
occupy the Past Grand's chair for one term, and to deliver 
the Past Grand's Charge at initiations," implies, and is 
herein construed, that while a Lodge may impose a fine on 
the Junior Past Grand for neglect of his duty, it may not 
do so for absence only. — 1867, pp. 142, 152. 

538. Noble Grand to preside, although under charges. 
— When charges have been preferred against the Noble 
Grand and referred to a committee, a Lodge cannot, by the 
adoption of a motion or resolution, deprive such officer of 
the right to preside at its meetings during the period such 
charges are pending and undecided. — 1874, p. 164. 

539. Noble Grand becomes Sitting Past Grand, al- 
though under charges. — On the expiration of the term of 
the Noble Grand, against whom charges are pending and 
undecided, it is the duty of the installing officer when pro- 
ceeding to install the officers of a Subordinate Lodge to 
direct such accused brother to take his seat as Sitting Past 
Grand for the current term. — 1874, p. 164. 

540. Vice Grand to preside in the absence of the Noble 
Grand. — It is the duty of the Vice Grand to preside in his 
Lodge during the absence of the Noble Grand. He has no 
right to designate a Past Grand to do so. — 1868, p. 267. 

541. The Right Supporter of the Noble Grand has no 
right to put a question while temporarily occupying the 
chair of the Noble Grand.— 1871, p. 102. 



108 OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

542. The Noble Grand to put motions. — If a motion is 
made and seconded which the Noble Grand believes to be 
contrary to constitutional law, and he so decides and re- 
fuses to put the question, upon his decision being appealed 
from it is his duty to put the appeal ; and if the Lodge 
overrules his decision he must put the question, and if un- 
lawful action shall result therefrom the wrong can be 
remedied by an appeal to higher authority. — 1870, pp. 
495, 551. 

543. Illegal election of Noble Grand. — A Vice Grand 
must serve a majority of nights of the term to be eligible 
to the Noble Grand's chair ; but in case the Lodge erred 
in electing a brother not qualified — if the Lodge deceived 
the installing officer when he asked " If the brother has 
rendered sufficient service in office," and answered it in the 
affirmative, and he is installed, the Lodge was a party to 
the wrong and cannot afterwards take advantage of it, and 
the brother cannot be removed. — 1868, pp. 220, 273. 

544. Qualification for Noble Grand. — A Vice Grand 
who has not served a majority of the nights of the term as 
Vice Grand cannot, unless he has served the last nights of 
a term to fill a vacancy, be legally elected and installed as 
Noble Grand.— 1869, pp. 344, 403, 407. 

545. Vice Grand when not eligible to office of Noble 
Grand. — Should the chair of the Noble Grand become 
vacant during the term, the Vice Grand is not the proper 
person to be elected to serve the unexpired term, unless he 
be a Past Grand or Past Vice Grand. — 1871, pp. 18, 99. 

546. Who not eligible to the office of Noble Grand. — 
A Lodge cannot legally elect to the office of Noble Grand, 
if nominated, any officer from an inferior office, such as 
Secretary, Warden, or Conductor, unless all qualified 
members of the Lodge decline to accept the office, in which 
case a. Scarlet member may be elected, provided that a 
dispensation for that purpose be first obtained from the 
Grand Master.— 1871, pp. 18, 99. 

547. When a Vice Grand need not serve a majority of 
the nights to make him eligible for Noble Grand. — If the 
Vice Grand holds the office through the term, did not re- 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 109 

sign, and was not removed by the Lodge, and he living so 
far from the Lodge it was found by him impossible to be 
present, he is eligible to the office of Noble Grand although 
he did not serve a majority of the nights. — 1874, pp. 43, 161. 

548. Members under charges eligible. — A member of 
the Lodge against whom charges are pending and unde- 
cided is eligible to office. — 1871, p. 18, 99. 

549. Nominations for Secretary. — A member cannot be 
nominated, elected, or installed as Secretary who has not 
been previously nominated, unless all the regular nominees 
decline the nomination, either on the night they are 
nominated or on the night of election. — 1869, pp. 344, 
403, 407. 

550. Irregular nominations for officers. — It is not in 
order for a brother to nominate " all eligible to the office" 
(using that term), nor would a brother elected under such 
a nomination be entitled to hold the office, the said brother 
not having been particularly named on nomination night. — 
1869, pp. 345, 404, 407. 

551. Officers of Lodges having surrendered Charters. — 
Officers who were in their offices at the time of surrender 
of Charter are not restored to office on the resuscitation of 
the Lodge ; and officers of a resuscitated Lodge must serve 
at least thirteen weeks to be entitled to the honors of the 
office.— 1875, pp. 304, 438, 441. 

[■"A majority of meeting nights in a six months' term of 
a Lodge is fourteen."— Sov. G. L., 1889, Sec. 983 Digest.] 

552. A Lodge has no right to recommend for office. — 

The Noble Grand of a Lodge has the sole right to appoint 
the subordinate officers of a Lodge, except the Supporters 
of the Vice Grand, and a Lodge has no right to recommend 
to him whom he shall appoint. — 1879, pp. 560, 599. 

553. The Noble Grand and Vice Grand have no right 
to call a Past Grand to occupy their chairs while they 
remain in the Lodge room. — 1875, pp. 311, 438, 441. 

554. Status of Noble Grand after acquittal by com- 
mittee. — A Noble Grand having been tried and found not 
guilty by the Trial Committee, who reported to the Lodge, 



110 OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

an appeal was taken therefrom to the Lodge, and that 
appeal laid on the table for a week. It was held, that the 
Noble Grand was entitled to occnpy the principal chair 
and to officiate as Noble Grand from the time of the pres- 
entation and acceptance of the report of the Investigating 
Committee.— 1871, pp. 26, 99. 

555. The Permanent Secretary is an elective officer, and 
is to be governed by the same rules of election as other 
elective officers, with the proviso that he may be elected 
for one year.— 1874, pp. 36, 161. 

556. The Noble Grand to hold the Charter.— The 

Charter of the Lodge having been placed by the installing 
officer in the " keeping " of the Noble Grand when installed 
into office, such Noble Grand has an nndonbted right to 
take possession of snch Charter and hold it, provided that 
it is present in the Lodge when open and at the installation 
of his successor. — 1874, p. 164. 

557. When the Noble Grand and Vice Grand are ab- 
sent from the meeting of the Lodge a Past Grand of the 
Lodge must preside, and may call on some brother to act 
as Vice Grand pro tern.; but if no Past Grand be present 
the Lodge cannot be opened. — 1873, pp. 398, 468, 471. 

558. Drafts on the Treasurer. — The person filling the 
chair of the Noble Grand in a Lodge has the right to sign 
the orders for all sums voted by the Lodge, but he should 
sign the same as Noble Grand pro tern.; and the Treasurer 
of the Lodge is obliged to pay all orders drawn on him by 
a vote of his Lodge. The order of the Lodge is his pro- 
tection.— 1876, pp. 567, 568, 659, 664. 

559. Arrears for dues and fines. — A brother cannot be 
installed into office unless " he is free from all charges on 
the books of whatsoever kind," which include fines as 
well as dues.— 1879, pp. 558, 599. 

560. Right of Noble Grand to vote on a ballot. — On an 

election for officers in a Lodge, on a tie the Noble Grand 
has no right to give the casting vote ; he has the right to 
vote on the ballot, but at no other time. — 1876, pp. 573, 
659, 664. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. Ill 

561. Vacancies of office. — A Vice Grand of a Lodge 
having been suspended for two months the office becomes 
vacant, and the Lodge may fill such vacancy. — 1878, pp. 
274, 375. 

562. Resignation of office. — After an officer has been 
installed the Noble Grand has no power to accept his resig- 
nation ; it must be acted on by the Lodge. — 1877, pp. 14, 156. 

563. Continuous absence is necessary to vacate office. 
— To vacate an office in a Lodge a brother must have been 
absent the three immediate meetings of the Lodge prior to 
action being taken. — 1879, pp. 561, 599. 

564. Who may act as Secretary. — A member of a sister 
Lodge, who is in good standing, may temporarily act as 
Secretary in any Lodge ; but to be elected and installed in 
said Lodge he must be a member of the Lodge. A brother 
holding a Withdrawal Card may also act as Secretary pro 
tern, in a Lodge, and his acting as such does not vitiate the 
proceedings. — 1879, pp. 556, 599, 600. 

565. A Noble Grand or Vice Grand can also be Trustee 
of a Lodge if not prohibited by its By-laws. — 1891, pp. 104, 
105, 254; 1892, pp. 475, 567. 

566. The salary of the Permanent Secretary must be 
fixed by the By-laws, not by resolution ; and it is com- 
petent for the Lodge to amend the laws on that subject, 
such amendment to take effect forthwith, unless otherwise 
provided in the By-laws. — 1891, pp. 106, 254. 

567. The Treasurer and Permanent Secretary cannot 
report for the term on the last meeting in the term, but 
must report after the close of the term. — 1891, pp. 106, 254. 

568. The Noble Grand must give opportunity to de- 
bate on every question ; and members desiring to speak 
shall arise, address the Chair, and receive recognition be- 
fore proceeding to speak. — 1891, pp. 84, 254. 

569. Representatives from Subordinate Lodges. — 

Sec. 3. Each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to elect 
one of its Past Grands as its Eepresentative to the Grand 



112 OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

Lodge. The election for Representatives shall be held at 
the time for the election of Lodge officers next previous to 
each annual session, to serve for one year, commencing 
with the Tuesday succeeding the third Monday in August 
thereafter. Vacancies may be filled at any time to serve 
the residue of the term. The Representatives mentioned 
in this Section shall be styled Regular Representatives. 

Sec. 4. Each Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to 
elect, for the same term as a Regular Representative, or 
for any less term, any Past Grand in good standing in a 
Lodge subordinate to this Grand Lodge as Proxy Repre- 
sentative, to act only in the absence of its Regular Repre- 
sentative ; provided, that no Past Grand shall act as Regular 
and Proxy Representative, nor shall any member act as 
Proxy for more than one Lodge at the same time. — Art. ii., 
Const. G. L. 

570. A Sitting or present Noble Grand is not eligible 

to an election for Regular or Proxy Representative to the 
Grand Lodge unless he is also a Past Grand. A vacancy 
can be filled at any time. — 1867, pp. 82, 153; 1871, pp. 
24, 99. 

571. Representatives cannot be instructed how to vote 
for officers. A Lodge has no right to instruct its Repre- 
sentative to the Grand Lodge for whom to vote for Grand 
Officers.— 1872, pp. 246, 300. 

572. Election of Representative to the Grand Lodge. — 
A Lodge may elect a Representative to the Grand Lodge 
although he was not present at the nomination or election, 
nor has given his consent thereto. — 1875, pp. 310, 438, 
441. 

573. Setting aside an election of Representative. — A 

District Deputy Grand Master has no power to set aside an 
election of Representative to the Grand Lodge and order 
a new election.— 1875, pp. 312, 438, 441. 

574. Pay of Representative to Grand Lodge. — A Lodge 
is not obliged to pay its Representative to the Grand Lodge 
unless its By-laws so provide. — 1875, pp. 312, 438, 441. 

575. Nominations for Representatives to Grand Lodge 

may be made on the regular night of election, notwith- 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 113 

standing that those previously nominated had not de- 
clined.— 1878, pp. 273, 363. 

576. Qualifications of Representative to the Grand 
Lodge. — A Past Grand who is Trustee of the Lodge may 
be elected a Representative to the Grand Lodge. — 1877, pp. 
141, 142. 

577. Proxy Representative to the Grand Lodge. — A 
Lodge can nominate and elect a Past Grand of any other 
Lodge as Proxy Representative to the Grand Lodge, even 
though the Past Grands of their own Lodge are willing to 
accept the position. — 1878, p. 379. 

578. What vote required to elect. — It requires a ma- 
jority of all votes cast, blank or otherwise, to elect a Rep- 
resentative to the Grand Lodge. — 1878, pp. 274, 363. 

579. Service in an appointed office by a member who 
has not received the Scarlet Degree does not qualify for 
an elective office. — 1880, p. 125. 

580. A Lodge cannot install a brother in any ap- 
pointed office who has not received the Scarlet Degree, 
unless all qualified members present shall first decline to 
ac t._1880, p. 125. ^ 

[Bad law, being in conflict with the present law requiring 
Lodge business to be transacted in the Third Degree by 
those only who have received the Scarlet Degree.] 

581. A brother elected as Noble Grand who is not in 

possession of the Charges or of the unwritten work, and 
incapable of learning the same, should not be installed, 
but a new election ordered. — 1883, p. 56, 109. 

582. A Past Grand may be in nomination for Noble 
Grand and Representative at the same time. — 1885, pp. 
497, 562. 

583. A brother cannot be a Past Grand until his term 
as Noble Grand is completed, and cannot be elected as 
Representative until he has become a Past Grand. — 1885, 
pp. 497, 562; 1891, pp. 103, 254. 



114 , OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

584. A brother duly nominated for an office in a Sub- 
ordinate Lodge, and accepting said office, may and can 
decline such nomination at a subsequent meeting, and be- 
fore election, without consent of the Lodge. — 1890, p. 416. 

585. The term " Staff" applies to and means the body 
of Past Grands, including Grand Officers or those repre- 
senting them, who accompany a Grand Master or his 
Deputy on official visits. A D. D. G. M. has not the right 
to be so accompanied, except when attending for installa- 
tion or for Lodge institution. — 1884, p. 352; 1891, pp. 77, 
254. 

586. An election for officers of a Lodge cannot be held 
by acclamation, but must be by ballot. There is no fixed 
law governing the number of tellers at an election of Lodge 
officers, except as prescribed by the Lodge By-laws. A 
nominee for office has a right to vote — even to vote for him- 
self.— 1891, pp. 103, 254. 

587. It is not illegal for the advocates of a candidate 

for office in a Lodge to distribute ballots containing the 
candidate's name in the Lodge at the time of election. — 
1891, pp. 103, 254. 

588. The first Noble Grand of a Lodge is eligible for 
renomination and election, notwithstanding that he has not 
served a term as Vice Grand. — 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

589. A dispensation from the Grand Master to install 
a Noble Grand who is not a Past Grand or a Past Vice 
Grand is necessary, but will not be granted unless it be 
shown that all eligible members have declined the nomina- 
tion.— 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

590. An election of officers of a Lodge cannot be in- 
validated by reason of illegal votes cast, unless objection 
is made at the time ; if then made and overruled, and illegal 
votes were then received sufficient in number to affect the 
result in the case of any officer, objection to the installation 
of such officer would be valid, should be sustained, and a 
new election ordered. — 1891, pp. 104, 254. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 115 

591. A member of the Third Degree who has never 
held office and is not entitled to benefits, bnt is in good 
standing, is eligible to any office in the Lodge except Vice 
Grand and Noble Grand.— 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

593. A Past Vice Grand taking a Withdrawal Card, 
and on depositing in another Lodge, retains his rank as 
Past Vice Grand, and is eligible to election as Noble Grand 
in the Lodge he so joins. — 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

594. Service as Secretary is not necessary to make a 
member eligible for Vice Grand or to render a Past Vice 
Grand eligible for Noble Grand.— 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

595. A member who has not served a majority of 
nights in his term in an inferior office is not eligible for 
Vice Grand.— 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

596. A Lodge cannot make a By-law for the appoint- 
ment of its officers in alphabetical order, as the members 
appear on the Lodge roll, nor affix any penalty for refusing 
to serve in office.— 1891, pp. 104, 254. 

597. At the institution of a Lodge each member is eligi- 
ble for any office in the Lodge. — 1891, pp. 105, 254. 

598. A member of a Lodge being elected or appointed 
to an office is not obliged to accept the same. If he does 
and is installed, he may be fined as the By-laws provide for 
neglect of his duties. — 1891, pp. 105, 254. 

599. A Past Grand serving again as Noble Grand has 
all the rights and privileges of a Past Grand, excepting 
that while in the Noble Grand's chair he cannot be Sitting 
Past Grand, but may deliver the Past Grand's Charge when 
no Past Grand is present who can or will do so. — 1891, pp. 
105, 254. 

600. At the time for opening of a Lodge, the Noble 
Grand and Vice Grand both being absent, a Past Grand of 
the Lodge must take the chair. If more than one Past 
Grand be present, and no provision being made by the 



116 OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 



By-laws, the members present should select one to preside. 
The Noble Grand, Vice Grand, and all Past Grands being 
absent a Lodge cannot open. — 1891, pp. 105, 254. 

601. A Drill Master, Master of Ceremonies, or Captain 
to instruct in floor movements is not a Lodge officer. — 1891, 
pp. 106, 254. 

602. In forming an Initiatory or Degree Staff in a 
Lodge no member except the Vice Grand, Noble Grand, or 
a Past Grand shall act as Noble Grand on the Staff, and 
no one except the Vice Grand, Noble Grand, a Past Grand, 
or Past Vice Grand shall act as Vice Grand on the Staff, 
and no one, though qualified, shall be substituted for the 
Noble Grand or Vice Grand who shall object to the sub- 
stitution. Each officer is entitled to do the work of his 
office in initiation and the degrees, to the exclusion of any 
one else, if he. so desires. — 1891, pp. 106, 107, 254. 

603. The Sitting Past Grand's chair belongs to the 
retiring Noble Grand during the term following his term 
of service as Noble Grand, provided he remains a member 
of the Lodge and does not accept other office therein during 
such term.— 1891, pp. 107, 254. 

604. During the conferring of the Initiatory Degree a 

Third Degree member cannot be appointed to deliver the 
Past Grand's Charge when there are Past Grands in the 
room. There is no officer known as " Captain of the Degree 
Staff" authorized by the laws and regulations of the 
Order.— 1893, pp. 40, 142. 

605. To be entitled to the honors of an office in a 

Lodge one must serve to the end of the term; must attend a 
majority of the meeting nights. He loses all the honors of 
the term if lawfully removed or resigns the office ; sickness 
excuses, and absence at roll call is not counted against 
him if he appears later and officiates in his station. — 1891, 
pp. 107, 254. 

606. A Lodge having been directed by the Grand 
Master to have no installation of officers pending an in- 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 1 1 7 

vestigation, an installation conducted by a Past Grand is 
illegal, null, and void, and the former officers of the Lodge 
will resume their stations. — 1891, pp. 107, 254. 

607. During the opening exercises the Outside Guar- 
dian should admit to the anteroom brothers who prove 
themselves, and should be there himself, except when 
called into the Lodge room, when the Inside Guardian 
should take his place. — 1891, pp. 106, 254. 

608. A Noble Grand has not the power to declare the 
chair of any officer vacant, whether the office be elective 
or appointed. Such declaration must be by a two-thirds 
vote of the Lodge in the case of any officer who, through 
neglect, absents himself from three successive meetings of 
the Lodge.— 1891, pp. 107, 108, 255, 259. 

609. An office cannot be declared vacant unless the 
officer is absent for three successive meetings. Leave of 
absence being granted to an officer has the effect only to 
excuse the absence and relief from penalty of removal, but 
cannot be counted in calculating the nights of service 
rendered to entitle to the honors of office, unless the ab- 
sence be for the cause of actual sickness. — 1891, pp. 108, 254. 

610. The Outside Guardian is required to invite all 
brothers in the anteroom to enter the Lodge room proper 
at the time of opening; to take up the Semi- Annual Pass- 
word of such as may refuse to enter; to report to the 
Noble Grand such as may refuse, and obtain his permission 
for their remaining; otherwise to clear the anteroom. — 
1892, pp. 474, 567. 

611. A Lodge cannot give leave of absence to an 
officer, as such, beyond the period of his term of office. If 
at the end of the term the Vice Grand shall have failed to 
be present and officiating in the Lodge at a majority of the 
meetings of the term, from the time of his installation until 
the last meeting of the term, he will not be a Past Vice 
Grand, though the Lodge gave leave of absence, unless 
absent on account of sickness; nor then unless such ab- 
sence for sickness added to the nights attended constitute 
a majority of the meetings held. — 1891, pp. 108, 254. 



118 OFFICERS OF DEGREE LODGES. 



612. When a Lodge, Subordinate or Rebekah, is in- 
stituted after the expiration of the first half of the term 
the officers then elected and appointed hold over to the end 
of the next term; otherwise when the institution is within 
the first half of the current term. — 1891, pp. 108, 254. 

613. Treasurer of Lodge cannot be paid for his services. 
—1867, p. 312. 



OFFICERS OF DEGREE LODGES. 
OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. 

614. Elective. — Sec. 1. The elective officers of this De- 
gree Lodge shall consist of Degree Master, Deputy Degree 
Master, Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall serve a regu- 
lar term each. When deemed necessary the Degree Lodge 
may elect a Permanent Secretary in addition, to serve 
twelve months. — Art. ii., Const. Deg. L. 

615. Appointed. — Sec. 2. The appointed officers shall con- 
sist of a Past Grand, First and Second Assistant Deputy 
Degree Masters, Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, 
and Inside Guardian, who shall serve a regular term each. 

Elections. — Sec. 3. Officers shall be elected at the last 
regular meeting in each term, and shall be installed at the 
first meeting in the succeeding term. 

Eligibility. — Sec. 4. A brother shall not be eligible to the 
chair of Degree Master and Deputy Degree Master, or Past 
Grand, unless he shall have passed the Noble Grand's 
chair in a Subordinate Lodge. Any member of the Degree 
of Truth shall be eligible to all other offices, and any officer 
may be re-elected. 

Who presides. — Sec. 5. The Degree Master shall preside 
at all meetings of the Degree Lodge, and shall enforce the 
laws and preserve order and decorum therein ; he shall ap- 
point all officers and committees not otherwise provided 
for ; he is empowered to convene special meetings, subject 
to such rules as may be adopted by the Lodge ; and shall 
perform all the duties prescribed by the rules, charges, and 
regulations of the Order, and required by the nature of his 
office. 

Assistance. — Sec. 6. The Deputy Degree Master shall as- 
sist the Degree Master in the Lodge ; appoint a minority 



OFFICERS OF DEGREE LODGES. 119 

of committees of investigation on propositions for mem- 
bership, and perform such other duties as may be required 
by the Degree Master ; in the absence of the Degree Mas- 
ter he shall preside, and perform all the duties of that 
officer. 

Secretary. — Sec. 7. The Secretary shall record the pro- 
ceedings of the Degree Lodge ; he shall keep the accounts 
between the Lodge and its members, and shall receive all 
moneys due, and pay the same over to the Treasurer, tak- 
ing his receipt therefor. He shall keep a register of the 
degrees conferred, specifying the date, the name of the 
brother, the Subordinate Lodge of which he is a member, 
and the degrees conferred, and transmit monthly to each 
Subordinate Lodge from which certificates may have been 
received a list of the degrees conferred on the several mem- 
bers of such Lodge. He shall prepare all reports required 
by the Grand Lodge, and shall give such notice of special 
meetings as the Degree Master or Lodge may direct. For 
the discharge of these duties he shall receive such com- 
pensation as the Lodge may determine. 

Treasurer. — Sec. 8. The Treasurer shall receive from the 
Secretary all moneys paid into the Degree Lodge; pay all 
orders drawn on him signed by the Degree Master and 
countersigned by the Secretary; keep a correct account of 
all moneys by him received and paid, and make a report 
thereof at the end of his official term. He shall give such 
security as may be required by the Lodge prior to entering 
on the duties of his office, and shall deliver to his successor 
all books, papers, and moneys belonging to the Lodge. 

Appointed. — Sec. 9. The appointed officers of this Degree 
Lodge shall perform such duties as appertain to their re- 
spective offices under the regulations of the Order, subject 
to the direction of the Degree Master. 

When Vacant. — Sec. 10. Any officer who shall neglect 
the performance of his duties for three successive meetings, 
his seat may be declared vacant by a two-third vote of the 
Degree Lodge. Vacancies in any elective office may be 
filled at the next regular meeting of the Lodge. — Art. ii., 
Const. Deg. L. 

616. Who eligible to Noble Grand of a Degree Lodge. 
— A brother belonging to a Subordinate Lodge in one 
District can hold the office of Noble Grand of a Degree 
Lodge in another District, provided he is a member of said 
Degree Lodge. — 1870, pp. 495, 551. 



120 OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 

617. Nominations for officers of a Degree Lodge. — The 
By-laws of a Degree Lodge provided, that "no nomination 
shonld be received nnless the brother be present or signify 
his assent thereto in writing.'' On the night of election 
the brother was not present, and the Noble Grand ruled 
him out as a candidate for that reason. The decision was 
held erroneous, as the law required him to be present at 
the time of his nomination and not at the time of the elec- 
tion.— 1871, pp. 27, 107. 

618. Conferring the Degrees. — A Degree Master has no 
right to confer the degrees at a place where there is no 
Lodge room and no Lodge in session, nor in a saloon, nor 
upon an intoxicated person. — 1876, pp. 565, 659, 664. 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 
1. OFFICERS, THEIR ELECTION AND DUTIES. 

619. Elective. — Sec. 1. The elective officers of this Lodge 
shall consist of a Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Secretary, and 
Treasurer ; a Financial Secretary may also be elected. 

Appointed. — Sec. 2. The appointed officers shall consist 
of a Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, Inside Guardian, 
Eight and Left Supporters of the Noble Grand, and Eight 
and Left Supporters of the Vice Grand. 

Eligibility. — Sec. 3. Any member in good standing shall 
be eligible to any office in this Lodge, except that of Noble 
Grand, which office must be filled by one who has served 
a regular term as Vice Grand in a Eebekah or Subordinate 
Lodge. 

Noble Grand and Vice Grand appoint. — Sec. 4. The Noble 
Grand shall appoint the Warden, Conductor, Outside Guar- 
dian, Inside Guardian, and Eight and Left Supporters of 
the Noble Grand. The Vice Grand shall appoint his (or 
her) own Supporters. 

Elections. — Sec. 5. Elections for officers shall be held at 
the last stated meeting in each term, and the officers shall 
be installed (according to the form of public installation 
only) at the first stated meeting in the succeeding term, at 
which time the appointed officers shall be appointed. 

Nominations. — Sec. 6. Nominations for elective officers 
shall only be made at the time of election. 

Service. — Sec. 7. Officers shall serve a regular term each. 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 121 

Ballot. — Sec. 8. All elections shall be by ballot, and a 
majority of all the ballots cast shall be necessary to elect, 
except that votes cast for those not in nomination shall not 
be counted. 

Vacancy. — Sec. 9. Any office may be declared vacant by 
a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any stated 
meeting, in case an officer shall be absent for three suc- 
cessive meetings, except on account of sickness, or when 
leave of absence has been granted by the Lodge. Any 
officer, for misconduct or neglect of duty, on conviction 
thereof, shall be removed by a two-third vote of the mem- 
bers present. 

Vacancies filled. — Sec. 10. Vacancies in office may be filled 
at any stated meeting. 

Temporarily. — Sec. 11. An office can be filled temporarily 
only by a member qualified for election or appointment to 
that office, as provided in this Article. 

Wlw presides. — Sec. 12. The Noble Grand shall preside 
at the meetings of the Lodge ; shall state all questions to 
the Lodge ; announce the result of all votes and ballotings; 
sign all orders for money on the Treasurer, and perform 
such other duties as are appropriate to that office or are 
required by the By-laws of the Lodge or the laws of the 
Order. The Vice Grand shall assist the Noble Grand in 
the discharge of the duties, and shall preside during the 
absence of the Noble Grand ; shall have special charge of 
the door under the Noble Grand, and perform such other 
duties as are required by law. 

Secretary. — The Secretary shall record the proceedings 
of the Lodge, write all communications, draw all orders 
on the Treasurer, and, provided there is no Financial 
Secretary, he shall perform the duties of such officer, to wit : 
to keep accurate accounts between the Lodge and its mem- 
bers, receive all moneys due the Lodge and pay the same 
to the Treasurer, and perform such other duties as usually 
appertain to that office or as may be required by the By- 
laws. The Treasurer shall receive, safely keep, and invest 
all moneys belonging to the Lodge, under its direction, and 
pay the same out only upon the order of the Noble Grand, 
attested by the Secretary. The appointed officers shall 
perform the duties appertaining to their several offices. — 
Art. ii., Const. Eeb. L. 

620. Password when not to be given. — It is not right or 
proper for the Noble Grand of a Rebekah Lodge to give 



122 OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 

the members of said degree, who are not members of his 
Lodge, the Passwords thereof, though they have first 
proved themselves in the Password of the current term of 
the Subordinate Lodge. — 1871, p. 110. 

2. TITLE AND POWERS. 

621. Title, etc. — Sec. 1. This Lodge shall be constituted 
of at least ten members, five of each sex, one of whom shall 
be qualified to preside at its meetings, and shall be known 

and greeted as Rebekah Lodge, No , 

I. 0. 0. F. of the State of New York, and shall possess the 
full powers and privileges of a Rebekah Lodge holding a 
valid Charter, duly granted and formally presented by the 
Grand Lodge of the State of New York; and a quorum 
shall consist of seven members, irrespective of sex. — Art. 
i., Const. Reb. L. 

3. TERMS AND MEETINGS. 

622. Regular Terms. — Sec. 1. Regular terms shall be one 
year, and shall commence on the first stated meeting in 
January in each year. 

Stated Meetings. — Sec. 2. Stated meetings of this Lodge 
shall be held monthly, or, if the By-laws so provide, semi- 
monthly, on such day as may be fixed by the By-laws. 
Special meetings may be held by a vote of the Lodge, or 
may be convened by the Noble Grand whenever it may be 
deemed necessary. — Art. iii., Const. Reb. L. 

4. MEMBERSHIP. 

623. Who Eligible. — Sec. 1. The following persons shall 
be eligible candidates for membership in this Lodge : 

1. Every Scarlet Degree member in good standing in a 
Subordinate Lodge on presenting a certificate from such 
Subordinate Lodge. 

2. His wife, on presenting a similar certificate. 

3. His unmarried daughters above the age of eighteen 
years, when proposed by either parent, or by a guardian. 

4. His unmarried sisters above the age of eighteen years, 
when proposed by him. 

5. An unmarried daughter of a Third Degree Odd Fellow, 
who has attained the age of eighteen years and whose par- 
ents are dead, when proposed by the Noble Grand of the 
Lodge of which her father was a member at the time of his 
death, or by a member of a Rebekah Lodge when furnished 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 123 

with a certificate from the Subordinate Lodge of which 
the father was a member, that he had attained the Degree 
of Truth and was in good standing at the time of his death. 

6. The unmarried daughter of an Odd Fellow, who has 
attained the age of eighteen years, and whose parents are 
dead, when proposed by the Noble Grand of the Lodge to 
which the father was formerly attached. 

7. The widow of a deceased Odd Fellow who was in 
good standing at the time of his death, on presenting a cer- 
tificate to that effect from his Subordinate Lodge ; pro- 
vided, however, such widow shall not have remarried a 
person not a member of the I. O. 0. F. 

Sec. 2. A lady candidate for membership in this Lodge 
must, if she is the wife or widow of an Odd Fellow, be pro- 
posed by a member; in all other cases she must be proposed 
as required in the preceding Section. The proposition 
must be in writing, and signed by the candidate, and must 
state her name and residence, and the name, number, and 
location of the Subordinate Lodge in which the husband, 
father, or brother is (or, if dead, was at the time of death) 
a member in good standing. In the case of an unmarried 
sister or daughter, the proposition must also state that she 
is more than eighteen years of age. Such proposition shall 
forthwith be referred to a committee of three sisters, who 
shall report thereon at the next regular meeting, when the 
candidate shall be balloted for with ball ballots, and if less 
than three black balls be cast she shall be elected ; other- 
wise she shall be rejected, and so declared. 

Application. — Sec. 3. An application for membership in 
this Lodge of a Scarlet Degree member must be made in 
writing, stating the name, age, and residence, and be ac- 
companied by a certificate of good standing in the Subor- 
dinate Lodge of which he is a member; and said applica- 
tion shall be disposed of as provided in the next preceding 
Section, except that in all cases there shall be at least one 
brother of the Lodge on the Investigating Committee. 

Reconsideration. — Sec. 4. "When the petition of a candi- 
date for membership in this Lodge has been rejected, a re- 
consideration of the ballot can be effected, only as follows : 

1st. When all members who cast black balls shall at the 
same or next succeeding regular meeting move for such 
reconsideration. 

2d. The vote on reconsideration must be taken by ball 
ballot, and if no black ball appear therein the reconsidera- 
tion shall be had. 



124 OFFICERS OF RKBEKAH LODGES. 

3d. The petition shall then lie over till the next succeeding 
regular meeting, when a final ballot shall be had, with ball 
ballots, and if all the ballots appear white the candidate 
shall be elected, but if one or more black balls appear the 
candidate shall be rejected; and never more than one re- 
consideration in the same case shall be allowed. 

Withclraival. — Sec. 5. A proposition for membership may 
be withdrawn previous to the report of the committee to 
whom it has been referred, but it cannot after the commit- 
tee have once reported thereon. 

Rejected. — Sec. 6. A rejected candidate cannot be again 
proposed in any Eebekah Lodge for the space of six months 
after such rejection. — Art. iv., Const. Reb. L. 

5. DUES, CARDS, CERTIFICATES, AND SUSPENSIONS. 

624. Sec. 1. Every applicant for membership, either by 
initiation or by Card, shall be charged an initiation fee of 
not less than one dollar, to be provided for in the By-laws; 
and each member shall pay into the treasury such dues as 
may be fixed by the By-laws, payable quarterly in advance. 

Sec. 2. Certificates foi\membership, prepared by the Sov- 
ereign Grand Lodge, shall be applied for in open Lodge, 
and shall be granted to the applicant on payment of a fee 
of fifty cents. 

Sec. 3. When a member desires a Visiting Card from 
this Lodge the same may be granted on payment of the 
dues to the end of the time for which the same is desired, 
and twenty-five cents for the Card. 

Sec. 4. Withdrawal Cards may be granted, by a vote (by 
ballot) of a majority of the members present at a regular 
meeting, to a member who may apply therefor in person 
or by letter, if in good standing, and paying for the Card 
twenty-five cents. 

Sec. 5. Any member suspended for non-payment of dues 
may be reinstated upon payment of a sum which shall not 
be less than one year's dues, provided two-thirds of the 
members present vote (by ballot) for such reinstatement. 

Sec. (i. When any member of a Eebekah Lodge shall 
neglect or refuse to pay the dues fixed by the By-laws 
for the space of one year, the Secretary shall report the 
same to the Noble Grand, and, unless the Lodge otherwise 
direct, such member shall thereupon be suspended (he or 
she having been first notified of the action that would be 
taken), a record of which shall be made upon the minutes. 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 125- 

To suspend a member the Lodge must formally declare him 
or her to be suspended. — Art. v., Const. Reb. L. 

6. BENEFITS. 

625. Sec. 1. This Lodge may pay and disburse from its 
funds, for the relief of the sick, the destitute, or the dis- 
tressed, from time to time, such sums as a majority of the 
members present at any stated meeting shall by vote de- 
termine. 

Sec. 2. The Lodge may also provide for the payment of 
regular weekly benefits to members such sums as the By- 
laws prescribe. — Art. vi., Const. Reb. L. 

7. MISCELLANEOUS. 

626. Sec. 1. The officers of the Lodge shall, on the 31st 
day of December annually, prepare and deliver to the 
D. D. Gr. M., on installation, a report to the Grand Lodge of 
the State of New York of the work of the Lodge for the 
preceding year, including the number of each sex initiated,, 
admitted by Card, reinstated, withdrawn, suspended, or 
expelled, and the cause thereof ; numbers of each sex de- 
ceased; the whole number in membership, according to 
sex; the number of brothers, wives, widows, orphans, 
sisters, and daughters of brothers relieved ; amount paid 
for relief of brothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and orphans, 
and for burying the dead, and total amount of relief paid ; 
amount paid for expenses ; total amount of receipts, and 
the result of the election of officers for the ensuing year, 
and their place and night of meeting, whether monthly or 
semi-monthly. — Art. vii., Const. Reb. L. 

627. All meetings shall be held in a Lodge room ot 
this Order, or elsewhere upon permission of the Grand. 
Master. — Sec. 3, Art. iii., Const. Reb. L. 

628. A sister Vice Grand not to occupy the Noble 
Grand's chair. — The Vice Grand (being a sister) of a 
Rebekah Lodge cannot occupy the Noble Grand's chair 
during the opening of the Lodge and the transaction of 
ordinary Lodge business, other than conferring the de- 
gree.— 1873, pp. 469, 472. 

629. A sister Right Supporter of the Noble Grand 
cannot occupy the Noble Grand's chair during the tern- 



126 OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 

porary absence of the Noble Grand and transact the busi- 
ness of a Rebekah Lodge, such Right Supporter being a 
sister.— 1873, pp. 469, 472. 

630. Membership of a sister, how forfeited. — An offend- 
ing sister of a Rebekah Lodge is to be tried upon charges 
preferred, the same as a brother, and the rules of the Code 
of Procedure are applicable thereto, except as provided in 
Rule 1, Section 5 of Code of Procedure. — 1874, pp. 44, 161. 

631. A member of but one Rebekah Lodge. — A brother 
cannot hold membership in but one Rebekah Lodge at the 
same time. If he wishes to become a Charter member of 
another he must resign his membership. — 1874, p. 166. 

632. Improper conduct of a brother. — If the conduct 
of a brother, a member of a Rebekah Lodge, be unbecom- 
ing an Odd Fellow, or he is guilty of any offence punishable 
by the laws of the Order, there is no penalty inflicted by 
the Rebekah Lodge; he should be dealt within the Subor- 
dinate Lodge of which he is a member, — 1871, pp. 21, 99. 

633. Withdrawal of a sister. — A member (sister) of a 
Rebekah Lodge who withdraws from her Lodge cannot 
regain membership except" as provided by Article iv., Con- 
stitution of Rebekah Lodges. — 1876, pp. 570, 659, 664. 

634. A brother cannot be a member of a Rebekah 
Lodge and at the same time an applicant for a Charter for 
a new Rebekah Lodge. — 1883, pp. 56, 109. 

635. A brother can be nominated for Noble Grand in 
a new Rebekah Lodge, provided he has left his old Lodge 
and become a Charter member for the new one. — 1883, pp. 
56, 109. 

636. A widow of a brother not in good standing in his 
Lodge at the time of his death is not eligible for member- 
ship in a Rebekah Lodge.— 1890, pp. 334, 335, 406. 

637. Rebekah Lodge members have no right to spend 
the money of the Lodge for their own pleasure, such as 
rides, excursions, etc. — 1890, pp. 335, 406. 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 1 27 



638. A brother who has been suspended from his 
Lodge ceases to be a member of a Rebekah Lodge, and has 
no right to the Password of the Rebekah Degree. — 1890, 
pp. 335, 336, 406. 

639. A Rebekah or Subordinate Lodge may hold an 
ice cream festival, provided permission is given by the 
Grand Master, under the usual restrictions. — 1891, pp. 89, 
254. 

640. A member of a Rebekah Lodge has a right to vote 
in his Subordinate Lodge on a question of rentage to be 
charged the Rebekah Lodge to which he belongs. — 1891, 
pp. 109, 254. 

641. Male members have the same rights in a Rebekah 
Lodge as the female members. — 1891, pp. 71, 275. 

642. The Rebekah Degree can only be conferred in 

Rebekah Lodges, and upon candidates elected to member- 
ship in such Lodges, except that the Grand Master may 
confer it on Charter applicants upon instituting a Rebekah 
Lodge. No D. D. G. M. has authority to confer the degree. 
—1891, pp. 71, 275. 

643. The Guardian of a Rebekah Lodge who is not in 

good standing in his Lodge, and not in possession of the 
Password, is not qualified to act as Guardian of the Lodge. 
—1891, pp. 271, 272. 

644. The unmarried daughters and sisters of a brother 
not in good standing at the time of his death are not eligi- 
ble to membership in a Rebekah Lodge. — 1891, pp. 71, 275. 

645. Where the Lodge records cannot be found a 

Lodge may accept the testimony of its officers or members, 
at the time of the death, of the good standing of one of its 
deceased members at the time of his death, and on such 
evidence may give the requisite certificate to enable his 
widow to perfect membership in a Rebekah Lodge.— 1891, 
pp. 72, 275. 

646. All persons duly qualified by law to receive the 
Rebekah Degree are eligible for membership in any 
Rebekah Lodge if he or she be resident within the State. — 
1891, pp. 71, 275. 



128 OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 



647. An Odd Fellow being by his Subordinate Lodge 
expelled or suspended on trial upon charges, or suspended 
for non-payment of dues, shall in no way affect the mem- 
bership of his sister, daughter, or wife in a Rebekah Lodge, 
they being in good standing at the time of his expulsion or 
suspension. — 1891, pp. 72, 275. 

648. The marriage of a Daughter of Rebekah to a man 

who is a suspended Odd Fellow, or to one who has never 
been an Odd Fellow, does not affect her standing in a 
Eebekah Lodge, she being at the time in good standing and 
maintaining good standing afterwards. — 1891, pp. 72, 275. 

649. A Rebekah Lodge should receive from a member, 
a widow of an Odd Fellow, but who has married one who 
is not an Odd Fellow, pay for her arrears of dues, provided 
that she has not been suspended for non-payment of dues. 
If such be the case, the Lodge cannot. — 1891, pp. 72, 275. 

650. An amended By-law of a Rebekah Lodge, al- 
though not printed, is binding and valid against all the 
members of the Lodge, the records of the Lodge, and not the 
printed By-laws, governing in all cases. — 1891, pp. 72, 275. 

651. A Rebekah Lodge Noble Grand by mistake de- 
clared a member suspended for non-payment of dues ; dis- 
covering his mistake he revoked the order of suspension. 
Held to be legal, and not to be considered as a reinstate- 
ment.— 1891, pp. 73, 275, 276. 

652. A non-resident female is eligible for membership 
in a Rebekah Lodge.— 1892, pp, 475, 567. 

653. Where the By-laws of a Rebekah Lodge provide 

that dues shall be paid quarterly in advance the dues 
should be paid on the first Lodge night in the quarter, and 
not the last Lodge night. Until the first meeting in the 
quarter each member is in good standing whose dues are 
paid for the previous quarter, unless there is an unexpired 
penalty for previous arrears. — 1891, pp. 72, 275. 

654. A Rebekah Lodge cannot vote away its funds to 
individuals. — All moneys are to be held for necessary ex- 
penses, and for purposes of relief in sickness and distress; 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. 129 



the funds cannot be used to pay for flowers at the funeral 
of a sister. If a majority of members at any meeting 
should adopt a motion to misappropriate its funds, the 
Noble Grand and Secretary should refuse to sign drafts 
therefor, and the Treasurer should refuse to pay such drafts 
if signed.— 1891, pp. 73, 275. 

655. Rebekah Lodge Constitution provides for monthly 
or semi-monthly meetings. — By-laws must provide ac- 
cordingly, and cannot provide for regular weekly meet- 
ings.— 1891, pp. 73, 275, 276. 

656. A Rebekah Staff cannot wear their paraphernalia 

at a social or dance ; neither have they the right to give and 
go through the floor work of the Lodge in the presence of* 
any who are not members of a Rebekah Lodge. — 1891, pp.. 
74, 275, 276. 

657. In Rebekah Lodges dues accrue quarterly in ad- 
vance ; so they must be charged for and paid quarterly, and 
not charged up for fractions of a quarter. — 1891, 73, 275, 276. 

658. In Rebekah Lodges the law of yearly terms of 
office is imperative; they cannot elect semi-annually. — 
1891, pp. 74, 275, 276. 

659. A Rebekah Lodge has no right to declare the 
seat of Acting Past Noble Grand vacant on account of 
his absence. The retiring Noble Grand is entitled to the 
seat for one year, unless regularly suspended or expelled 
from membership. — 1891, pp. 74, 75, 275, 276. 

660. In Rebekah Lodges Past Noble Grands are re- 
quired to wear regalia in Lodge session. A Past Noble 
Grand's jewel suspended from a ribbon pinned to the dress 
is not the prescribed regalia. — 1891, pp. 75, 275, 276. 

661. In a Rebekah Lodge the retiring Noble Grand is 
eligible for re-election, although there be no other sister 
to take the Past Noble Grand's chair; and the Acting Past 
Noble Grand is eligible to election as Noble Grand to fill 
vacancy, although it leaves no sister to take the Acting 
Noble Grand's chair.— 1891, pp. 75, 275, 276. 

9 



130 OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGFS. 

662. In a Rebekah Lodge the one who occupies the 
chair of Noble Grand during the conferring of the degree 
is for the time Noble Grand of the Lodge, and as such has 
legal right to communicate the Semi- Annual Password. — 
1891, pp. 74, 275, 276. 

663. No member of a Lodge is barred from voting to 

give a Rebekah Lodge the use of the Lodge room gratui- 
tous because he is a member, or intends to become a mem- 
ber, of the Eebekah Lodge.— 1891, pp. 90, 91, 254. 

664. A Rebekah Lodge cannot make a contingent 
fund from five per cent, on all moneys received from any 
source; it must be formed from dues received, and all 
moneys received from picnics, entertainments, balls, or any 
other legitimate source, not including money received 
from initiations, degrees, or assessments. — 1893, pp. 42, 
43, 142. 

665. Where a sister has served as Vice Grand and 
Noble Grand, and is the Sitting Past Grand in a Eebekah 
Lodge, she cannot be removed from her position by the 
Noble Grand who desires to appoint some other person to 
fill that office on the Degree Staff .—1893, pp. 42, 142. 

666. A brother who has withdrawn from his Lodge 

cannot hold his membership in a Rebekah Lodge longer 
than twelve months thereafter. — 1893, pp. 40, 142. 

667. Where a brother, who is a member of a Rebekah 
Lodge, is suspended from his Lodge for non-payment of 
dues, afterwards he receives a Dismissal Certificate from his 
Lodge, which he deposits with another Lodge; if he desires 
to be reinstated in the Rebekah Lodge he must be pro- 
posed and balloted for the same as any other candidate. — 
1893, pp. 43, 142. 

668. In a Rebekah Lodge an Acting Noble Grand, 
being elected Noble Grand to fill a vacancy, or the retiring 
Noble Grand, being re-elected for another year and installed, 
may resign his office; and in such case he passes by right 
to the chair of Sitting Past Noble Grand for the residue of 
the term. No honors accrue by reason of service in the 
chair of Acting or Sitting Past Noble Grand. — 1891, pp. 75, 
275, 276. 



PASSWORDS. 131 



669. An appeal from a Rebekah Lodge, in the matter 
of a Lodge trial, mnst be to the Grand Master, not to the 
District Deputy. Grand Master.— 1891, pp. 75, 275, 276. 

670. A majority of the members of a Rebekah Lodge 
desiring to close up the celebration of the Anniversary of 
the Order with a social or dance, the permission for such 
from the Grand Master would be lawful. — 1891, pp. 75, 
275, 276. 

671. An unmarried divorced sister of a Third Degree 
member is eligible for election in a Rebekah Lodge under 
the name she assumes by virtue of the decree of the court 
granting the divorce. — 1892, pp. 475, 567. 



PASSWORDS. 



672. Members in arrears for dues not entitled. — No 
brother is entitled to the Password who is not clear of the 
books and free from charges. — 1871, pp. 20, 99, 102. 

673. A member without Password has a right to sit in 
Lodge. A brother who is over thirteen weeks in arrears for 
dues cannot be denied admission to his Lodge on that ac- 
count; and if he is in the Lodge room prior to opening he 
must be allowed to remain while he is not suspended for 
non-pavment of dues. — 1867, pp. 82, 153; 1873, pp. 393, 
468, 471. 

674. A brother receiving a Withdrawal Card has the 
right to demand the Annual Traveling Password, and it is 
the duty of the Noble Grand to communicate it to him. — 
1871, pp. 19, 99. 

675. A brother cannot visit on the old Password 
where the officers of a Lodge are installed and receive the 
new Password. It is not legal to admit members of other 
Lodges on the old Password, although the officers of such 
other Lodges have not been installed and the installation 
night in such Lodges has not yet arrived. — 1873, pp. 394, 
468, 472. 



132 REGALIA. 



676. A brother when entitled to Password on appeal. 
— A brother who had been expelled by his Lodge appealed 
to the District Grand Committee, who reversed the action 
of the Lodge; the Lodge then appealed to the Grand 
Lodge. Pending that appeal the brother has the right to 
receive the Password and admission to his Lodge. — 1875, 
pp. 309, 438, 441. 

677. Members of Lodges not installed.— A D. D. G. M. 
has no right to give the new Password to the members of 
a Lodge whose officers have not been installed. — 1876, pp. 
577, 659, 664. 



REGALIA. 



678. Past Grand's regalia; how worn. — The custom in 
this State has ever been to wear the Past Grand's scarf 
over the left shoulder. Scarfs have always been used in 
this State by the Past Grands, and such has been the man- 
ner of wearing them. — 1867, pp. 81, 153. 

679. Encampment regalia. — It is improper and inap- 
propriate to wear the Encampment regalia in a Subordinate 
Lodge, except on occasions of visiting. — 1869, pp. 341, 
403, 406. 

680. In District Grand Committees regalia should be 
worn. — While there is no law requiring it to be done, it is 
highly improper for members to sit in a meeting of a Dis- 
trict Grand Committee without wearing some badge to 
designate their rank. — 1869, pp. 343, 403, 406. 

681. A Past Grand is not under all circumstances re- 
quired to wear the regalia indicating that particular rank ; 
he has the right to wear one of a subordinate rank. — 1869, 
pp. 344, 403, 407. 

682. Temporary officer.— Any brother occupying, per- 
manently or temporarily, a subordinate station in a Lodge 
should wear the regalia of the office he thus occupies. — 
1871, pp. 25, 99. 

683. Worn at a public house. — A Lodge has the right 
to wear its regalia at a public house on the occasion of 



REINSTATEMENT. 133 



celebrating the Anniversary of the Order by giving a 
supper, provided the Grand Master has given his assent 
under the usual pledge given on such occasions. — 1873, pp. 
394, 468, 471. 

684. Regalia worn at funerals. — It is not necessary to 
obtain the consent of the Grand Master or the D. D. G-. M. 
of the District to wear the funeral regalia at the funeral of 
a deceased brother. — 1874. p. 164. 

685. The duty of a member to wear in Lodge session 
the regalia to which his rank and station entitle him to 
wear. — A Past Grand has no right to sit in or enter a Lodge 
clothed in Third Degree regalia when he can be provided 
with a Past Grand's regalia. — 1891, pp. 109, 254. 

686. At an initiation of a candidate each member must 
attire himself as provided by the Ritual, and continue so 
attired from the instant the candidate enters the room un- 
til the candidate is introduced to the Noble Grand. — 1891, 
pp. 109, 254. 



REINSTATEMENT. 

687. Row 'Reinstated. — Sec. 7. Any member of this Lodge 
having been regularly expelled, or suspended indefinitely, 
may be reinstated to his former condition by being duly 
proposed therefor at a regular meeting and his case re- 
ferred to a committee of three brothers, who shall report at 
the next regular meeting, when the vote shall be taken by 
ball ballot, and if two-thirds of the members voting are in 
favor of the reinstatement it shall be made. Provided, 
that in case of an expelled member the vote for reinstate- 
ment shall not be final until approved by the District Grand 
Committee in which the Lodge is located. 

Member of another Lodge. — Sec. 8. A suspended or ex- 
pelled member of another Lodge cannot be received in 
membership in this Lodge. — Art. ii., Const. Sub. L. 

688. Illegal reinstatement. — When a member who has 
been suspended for non-payment of dues has been legally 
reinstated by his Lodge, a subsequent meeting of the Lodge 
cannot declare the reinstatement illegal and void; but if 
one meeting of the Lodge by a vote without a ballot rein- 



134 REINSTATEMENT. 



state a suspended member, such action is illegal and may 
be declared so at a subsequent meeting. — 1871, p. 110. 

689. Must pay a year's dues. — No action of the Lodge 
will reinstate a brother suspended for non-payment of dues, 
unless the suspended member shall pay to the Lodge one 
year's dues ; until that is done he has no right in any way 
in or to the Lodge.— 1868, pp. 219, 273. 

690. Attempted reinstatement. — A suspended member 
is not reinstated by paying to the Permanent Secretary his 
arrears of dues to the time of payment and taking a receipt 
therefor ; although he obtains the Password he is not en- 
titled to visit his own or any other Lodge until reinstated 
according to law.— 1869, pp. 339, 402, 404. 

691. Attempted reinstatement. — A suspended brother 
paid to the Treasurer of the Lodge a portion of his dues 
and took his receipt therefor ; he then owed less than a 
year's dues. The Lodge was not responsible for the action 
of the Treasurer, unless the By-laws provided that the 
Treasurer could receive dues. — 1871, pp. 20, 99. 

692. All members of a defunct Lodge are not rein- 
stated by the resuscitation of the defunct Lodge. — On the 
resuscitation of a Lodge none are reinstated as members 
but those' who have petitioned for such privilege. Those 
who were not applicants should be proposed for reinstate- 
ment, as laid down in Section 7, Article ii. of Constitution 
of Subordinates. They are not entitled to be present at 
the ceremony of the reinstatement of the Lodge. They 
are still suspended members. — 1869, pp. 343, 403, 406. 

693. Illegal reinstatement. — Where a member who has 
not been legally reinstated, but who has been declared by 
the Nob]e Grand to have been so ; who has also been noti- 
fied of the same and has received the Password, he cannot 
be deprived of his standing in the Lodge nor denied admit- 
tance thereto. — 1870, pp. 548, 549. 

694. Not a reinstatement. — If on a ballot for reinstate- 
ment two-thirds of those present in the Lodge do not vote 
in favor of such reinstatement, and yet the brother is de- 
clared to be reinstated, the brother is rejected, and another 



REPRESENTATIVES. 135 



ballot cannot be had on the application and report of the 
committee without a reconsideration having been had. — 
1870, pp. 548, 549. 

695. Six months' limit; notice of refusal; reconsidera- 
tion of vote. — Where a member has been suspended for 
non-payment of dues, has applied for reinstatement and 
been refused, he can apply again within six months after 
such refusal. In case of refusal it is not necessary for the 
Secretary to notify other Lodges of such refusal ; a recon- 
sideration of the vote is not necessary, as the brother may 
apply again for reinstatement at any subsequent meeting 
of the Lodge.— 1871, pp. 32, 107. 

696. Reinstatement after suspension. — It is necessary, 
in case of application for reinstatement of a brother who 
has been suspended for non-payment of dues, that a com- 
mittee be appointed, report from them, and a ballot. If he 
is rejected he may again be proposed the week following 
his rejection.— 1875, pp. 306, 438, 441. 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

697. To Sovereign Grand Lodge. — Sec. 3. No Past 
Grand shall be eligible for any elective Grand Office unless 
he has been a member of this Grand Lodge for one year, 
and attained such degrees as by virtue of his office he may 
confer upon others. The candidates for Grand Repre- 
sentatives shall have attained the Royal Purple Degree, and 
must be members in good standing in a Subordinate En- 
campment. — Art. iii., Const. G. L. 

698. To Grand Lodge. — Representative. — Sec. 3. Each 
Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled to elect one of its Past 
Grands as its Representative to the Grand Lodge. The 
election for Representatives shall be held at the time for 
the election of Lodge officers next previous to each annual 
session, to serve for one year, commencing with the Tues- 
day succeeding the third Monday in August thereafter. 
Vacancies may be filled at any time to serve the residue of 
the term. The Representatives mentioned in this Section 
shall be styled Regular Representatives. 



136 RESUSCITATION OF LODGES. 

Proxy Bepresentative. — Sec. 4. Each Subordinate Lodge 
shall be entitled to elect, for the same term as a Regular 
Representative, or for any less term, any Past Grand in 
good standing in a Lodge subordinate to this Grand Lodge 
as Proxy Representative, to act only in the absence of its 
Regular Representative; provided, that no Past Grand 
shall act as Regular and Proxy Representative, nor shall 
any member act as Proxy for more than one Lodge at the 
same time. — Art. ii., Const. G. L. 

699. The nomination and election of Representatives 
to Sovereign Grand Lodge is provided for in Article ii., 
By-laws G. L. 

700. A Representative, either Regular or Proxy, must 
be a Past Grand before election. — A brother while Noble 
Grand of the Lodge, and before he is a Past Grand, cannot 
be elected a Representative to the Grand Lodge; such elec- 
tion is void and of no effect. — 1871, p. 111. 

701. What vote required to elect a Representative to 
Grand Lodge. — It requires a majority of all the votes cast, 
blank or otherwise, to elect a Representative to the Grand 
Lodge— 1878, pp. 274, 363. 



RESUSCITATION OF LODGES. 

702. Sec. 9. Any Subordinate or Degree Lodge failing 
to hold its meetings for six months, or to make its returns, 
as required by Section 6, Article vi. of these By-laws, for 
one year, shaH be deemed an extinct Lodge, and its Charter 
shall be forfeited. — Art. x., By-laws G-. L. 

703. Sec. 11. Upon the application of five or more mem- 
bers of an extinct Lodge to the Grand Lodge or Standing 
Committee for the restoration of such Lodge to fellowship, 
said applicants, or such portion thereof as the Grand Lodge 
or Standing Committee may approve of, may be restored to 
fellowship in said Lodge, together with the Charter and 
effects belonging to such Lodge at the time of its extinc- 
tion, unless such effects shall have been disposed of as 
provided by Section 8 of this Article. Provided, however, 



RETURNS. 1 37 



that such Charter has not been surrendered for the purpose 
of dropping an objectionable member, or a member who is 
on the sick list of the Lodge. — Art. x., By-laws G. L. 



RETURNS. 



704. By Subordinate Lodges. — Sec. 5. Annually every 
Subordinate Lodge shall report to the Grand Lodge the 
work thereof for the year ending December 31st, including 
the names of those initiated, rejected, admitted by Card, re- 
instated, withdrawn, suspended, and expelled, with the 
cause thereof ; the names of those deceased ; the names of 
those who have taken the degrees, and the degrees taken ; 
the whole number in membership ; the names of the Past 
Grands; the number of weeks' sick benefits paid, and the 
amount applied ; the number of brothers and widows re- 
lieved; the number of brothers buried, with the amount of 
money applied to each of these purposes ; the amount paid 
for the education of orphans, and the amount paid for 
Lodge expenses ; the amount of receipts ; the result of the 
election of officers and their residences, accompanied by 
whatever amount may be due to the Grand Lodge. In ad- 
dition to the above, each Lodge shall report a full return 
of members, ranked according to the degrees taken. — Art. 
vi., By-laws G. L. 

705. Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the officers of the 
Lodge to prepare and have ready for delivery to the officer 
appointed to install the officers for the term commencing 
January 1st in each year, a regular report of the work of 
the year, including the names of those initiated, rejected, 
admitted by Card, reinstated, withdrawn, suspended, and 
expelled, with the cause thereof; the names of those de- 
ceased; the names of those who have taken the degrees, 
and the degrees taken ; the whole number in membership; 
the names of the Past Grands ; the number of brothers and 
widows relieved; the number of brothers buried, with the 
amount of money applied to each of these purposes ; the 
amount paid for the education of orphans, and the amount 
paid for Lodge expenses ; the amount of receipts ; the re- 
sult of the election of officers, and their residences. Such 
return shall contain the names of all the members of the 
Lodge, ranked according to the degrees taken. 



138 RETURNS. 



706. Failure to report. — Sec. 3. Should this Lodge fail 
to make its returns, as required by the second Section of 
this Article, and deliver the same to the Grand Master, the 
D. D. Gr. M., or person duly appointed to install its officers, 
at the time he attends the Lodge for that purpose, and be- 
fore he proceeds to install the same, then the Grand Master, 
D. D. G-. M., or said duly appointed Deputy, will not install 
said officers, nor give the Semi- Annual or Traveling Pass- 
word to any member of the Lodge, until such returns are 
delivered to him, and also a receipt of the Grand Secretary 
shown for the payment of the assessment levied by the 
Grand Lodge for the current year ; nor shall this Lodge 
proceed to install its officers until after the returns are 
properly made out and delivered to the person duly ap- 
pointed to install them, or to the Grand Secretary. And 
should this Lodge continue to fail in making such returns 
for the period of one year it shall thereby forfeit its Charter 
and become extinct ; and it shall become the duty of the 
last installed officers to transmit or surrender to the Grand 
Secretary (or such other brother as may be appointed by the 
Grand Master to receive them) the Charter, books, papers, 
furniture, and funds of the Lodge. — Art. vi., Const. Sub. L. 

707. Of Degree Lodges.— Sec. 3. At the end of each 
Degree Lodge term all Degree Lodges shall report to the 
Grand Lodge the work of the term, in tabulated form, 
specifying the names of brothers on whom degrees have 
been conferred and the Lodges of which they were mem- 
bers; together with the names of brothers admitted as 
members, rejected, suspended, or expelled, and the cause 
thereof ; the whole number in membership ; the amount 
of receipts and expenses ; the balance on hand ; the result 
of the election of officers ; and the report shall be accom- 
panied by whatever amount may be due to the Grand 
Lodge. — Art. vii., By-laws Gr. L. 

708. Failure to report. — Sec. 3. Should this Degree 
Lodge fail to make report of its work, as required in the 
preceding Section of this Article, for two successive terms, 
or should it fail to hold regular meetings in rooms designated 
for that purpose for a period of twenty-six weeks, it shall 
thereby forfeit its Charter. In the event of such forfeiture, 
it shall be the duty of the last installed officers of the 
Lodge to surrender to the District Deputy Grand Master, 
or to such Special Deputy as may be duly appointed, the 



RETURNS. 139 



Charter, books, funds, and property of the Lodge. — Art. v., 
Const. Deg. L. 

709. Of Rebekah Lodges.— Sec. 1. The officers of the 
Lodge shall, on the 31st day of December annually, pre- 
pare and deliver to the D. D. G. M., on installation, a report 
to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York of the work 
of the Lodge for the preceding year, including the number 
of each sex initiated, admitted by Card, reinstated, with- 
drawn, suspended, or expelled, and the cause thereof ; num- 
ber of each sex deceased; the whole number in member- 
ship, according to sex; the number of brothers, wives, 
widows, orphans, sisters, and daughters of brothers relieved; 
amount paid for relief of brothers, wives, sisters, daughters, 
and orphans, and for burying the dead, and total amount 
of relief paid ; amount paid for expenses ; total amount of 
receipts, and the result of the election of officers for the en- 
suing year, and their place and night of meeting, whether 
monthly or semi-monthly. — Art. vii., Const. Reb. L. 

710. The Grand Lodge to furnish statistical records. — 
The Grand Secretary is to furnish to each Working Lodge 
a statistical record, printed in blank in suitable form for 
copying the regular reports of the Lodge. — 1868, p. 281. 

711. Lodges to enter their reports. — Each Working 
Lodge is enjoined to enter in such statistical record a copy 
of each return, so far as the same shall be provided for in 
said book, prior to the delivery of the report to the install- 
ing officer.— 1868, p. 281. 

712. District Deputy Grand Master to compare re- 
turns. — The D. D. G-. M. or installing officer is authorized 
and required, previous to installing the officers of the 
Lodge, to compare the entries in the report with the entries 
in the statistical record, in order that accuracy may be 
obtained.— 1868, p. 281. 

713. Grand Secretary to correct all returns. — It shall 
be the duty of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, 
immediately on receiving the returns from the Lodges in 
this State, to cause the same to be examined, and if found 
incorrect to write to the Lodge from which the same was 
received, stating the error and requesting the information 
necessary to make the report correct. It shall also be his 



1 40 REVENUE — SEALS. 



duty to furnish the Committee on Election and Returns 
with the reports and a statement of the errors in the re- 
ports not corrected, which shall be examined and verified 
by the committee. — 1869, p. 379. 

714. Returns of Rebekah Lodges. — All Rebekah Lodges 
which may fail to make their reports, as required by law, 
within three months after the 31st day of December in each 
year, are liable to have their Charters forfeited ; and it is 
made the duty of the Standing Committee of the Grand 
Lodge to declare them forfeited, and to reclaim the 
Charters and effects of said Lodges. — 1878, pp. 361, 362. 



REVENUE. 



715. Of Grand Lodge. — Sec. 1. The revenue of this 
Grand Lodge shall be raised for the purpose of defraying 
the necessary expenses thereof, and not for accumulation 
or investment, beyond the sum of one thousand dollars, to 
meet the current expenses in anticipation of receipts. 

Sec. 2. Such revenue shall be derived from Charter fees 
and assessments hereinafter provided. The fee for a 
Charter for a Subordinate or Degree Lodge shall be thirty 
dollars each, and for a Rebekah Lodge twenty dollars, to 
accompany the application. 

Sec. 3. At each annual session the Finance Committee 
shall ascertain what will be the deficiency for the current 
year in the amount on hand (exclusive of one thousand 
dollars as aforesaid) to pay the estimated expenses of the 
Grand Lodge, and the amount of such deficiency shall be 
assessed upon each Subordinate Lodge in proportion to the 
number of members it returned December 31st of the year 
next preceding said annual session. Such assessment shall 
be paid to the Grand Secretary forthwith by the Lodges, 
upon being notified thereof by him. — Art. v., Const. G. L. 



SEALS. 

716. Subordinate Lodge. — Sec. 6. Every Subordinate 
Lodge shall have a suitable seal, a proof impression of 
which shall be deposited with the Grand Secretary, and all 
reports, certificates, and communications shall, in addition 



SUBORDINATE LODGES. 141 

to being signed by the Noble Grand and Secretary, be au- 
thenticated by the seal being printed or impressed on the 
body of the document, and not merely attached thereto. — 
Art. vi., By-laws G. L. 

717. Illegal use of seal. — It is not legal for a Lodge to- 
permit the use of its seal on a document issued by an out- 
side association or organization, although the members of 
such outside organization may all be members of the Lodge. 
—1874, pp. 35, 161. 

718. A Lodge has not the right to attach its seal to a 
certificate of membership on Moore's Chart of the Emblems 
of the Order.— 1869, pp. 343, 403, 406. 

719. Seal used during recess. — The Noble Grand of a 
Lodge may during recess authorize the Secretary of his 
Lodge to use the seal of the Lodge on a communication to 
be sent to a Noble Grand of a sister Lodge, requesting him 
to communicate the Term Password to a brother of his 
Lodge.— 1873, pp. 469, 472. 

720. A Secretary has the right to use the seal of the 
Lodge upon receipts given to members for payment of 
dues, etc.— 1880, pp. 42, 112, 113. 



SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

721. Pkeamble to Constitution. — For the purpose of 
effecting uniformity in the administration of the privileges, 
honors, and benefits of Odd Fellowship within this juris- 
diction, the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows of the State of New York ordains the following 
Constitution for the government of the Subordinate Lodges 
under its jurisdiction. 

Art. i. — Name and Style. — This Lodge shall consist of 
at least five members of the Third Degree, including one 
qualified to preside at its meetings ; to be hailed and en- 
titled Lodge, No. . . ., 1. 0. O. F. of the State of 

New York, holding a legal and unreclaimed Charter, 
granted or sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of the 1. 0. 0. F. 



142 SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

of the State of New York. It cannot voluntarily surrender 
its Charter or dissolve so long as five members in good 
standing object thereto. — Art. i., Const. Sub. L. 

722. Application. — Sec. 1. On a written application of 
five or more brothers of the Third Degree, praying for a 
Charter to open a Lodge at a place where there is no Lodge 
established; or on the application of twenty or more 
brothers for a Charter to open a Lodge where there are one 
or more Lodges already established — except in the cities of 
New York and Brooklyn, where the application of fifty 
members (ten of whom shall have been members in good 
standing for at least one year prior to their application) 
shall be necessary — accompanied by the Charter fee, the 
Grand Lodge may grant a Warrant. All applicants must 
be Third Degree members. Such Lodge shall receive its 
Charter and the necessary Charges and instructions from 
the Grand Master, or the D. D. G. M. of the District in which 
it may be located, or by a Past Grand specially deputed, 
whose necessary expenses shall be borne by the Lodge 
opened. 

Sec. 2. An application, as provided in the first Section 
hereof, shall be presented to the District Grand Com- 
mittee (if there be one established) in whose District the 
Lodge is proposed to be located, at any regular or special 
meeting thereof, and if the said Grand Committee approve 
of the same the application, Charter fee, and certificate of 
approval shall be forwarded through the Grand Secretary 
to the Standing Committee, who shall, on the receipt 
thereof, have power to issue a Dispensation to open such 
Lodge, subject to confirmation at the next session of the 
Grand Lodge, in which case a regular Charter shall be 
issued ; but no Dispensation to open a new Lodge shall be 
granted by the Standing Committee within two months 
before the annual session of this Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 3. In case of an application, as provided in the first 
Section, being made for a Lodge to be located in a county 
not embraced within the jurisdiction of a District Grand 
Committee, the Standing Committee shall have power to 
issue a Dispensation to open such Lodge, with the same 
effect as in the next preceding Section. 

Sec. 4. It shall be lawful for the Subordinate Lodges, 
and they are hereby authorized, to confer the three degrees 
on their own members ; also on the members of any other 
Lodge located in the same district, without fee, upon the 



SUBORDINATE LODGES. 143 

deposit of the necessary certificate, accompanied by a re- 
quest so to do. — Art. vi., By-laws G. L. 

723. Petition for a new Lodge. — The Withdrawal Cards 
of the petitioners for a new Lodge must always accompany 
the petition.— 1869, pp. 346, 404, 407. 

724. Withdrawal Cards of petitioners are not required 
to be presented to the District Grand Committee on ap- 
plication to them for their approval ; but after the appli- 
cation is approved they should be sent, with the action of 
the District Grand Committee, to the Standing Committee. 
—1871, pp. 21, 99. 

725. Illegal institution. — A D. D. G. M. instituted a 
Lodge at Buffalo where other Lodges were established, 
with eighteen out of the twenty-one applicants, erasing 
from the Dispensation the names of those absent, and aft- 
erward, with the consent of all the members, and by direc- 
tion of the Grand Master, reinstituted the Lodge with 
twenty members ; this action was approved under the cir- 
cumstances, but the committee in their report say: We do 
not consider that this Grand Body has any power to pro- 
vide for the personal attendance of applicants for a Dis- 
pensation ; and that a Lodge cannot be instituted, when 
there is one or more Lodges already established, with less 
than twenty applicants present at the time of institution, 
and that absentees should not be counted in making up that 
number ; and that an instituting officer has no legal right 
to erase from the Dispensation names of the applicants for 
such institution; and that absentees, whose names are 
regularly signed to the Dispensation, have no right to be 
admitted as Charter members, but if admitted must be ad- 
mitted as other members on deposit of Card. — 1873, pp. 
399, 473. 

726. Incorporation. — No Lodge can put in force any 
act of incorporation, whether general or special, without 
the consent of the Grand Lodge ; neither the Grand Master 
nor Standing Committee, nor both combined, are empow- 
ered to authorize it to be done. The Trustees are required 
by the act of 1873 to give bonds, and the Lodges to pass 
By-laws defining the conditions of such bonds and pre- 
scribing the duties of Trustees. — 1874, pp. 42, 161. 



144 SUBORDINATE LODGES. 



727. Name of a living person not to be given to a 
Lodge. — Until otherwise directed by the Grand Lodge, 
the name of a living person shall not be inserted in any 
Charter or Dispensation, as the name of any Lodge that 
may be authorized to be opened in this jurisdiction. — 
1871, p. 122. 

728. Regular semi-annual terms shall commence with 
the first regular meetings in the months of January and 
July in each year. — Sec. 1, Art. vi., Const. Sub. L. 

729. Rights of members to be admitted to the Lodge 
room. — A Lodge has not the right to keep its members 
waiting in the anteroom while the minutes of the preced- 
ing session are being read. — 1870, pp. 495, 551. 

730. When the Noble Grand and Vice Grand of a 
Lodge are absent a Past Grand of the Lodge, if any are 
present, takes the chair of the Noble Grand, and he must 
designate some brother to occupy the chair of the Vice 
Grand pro tern. If such appointee is a Past Grand or Past 
Vice Grand the work of initiation may proceed. If there 
is no Past Grand present the Lodge cannot be opened. — 
1873, pp. 398, 468, 471. 

731. Reception of communications. — It may be proper 
for a Lodge to entertain a document issued by an outside 
organization when all its members are members of the 
Lodge. It is a question of taste rather than law, but more 
courtesy is due communications from a Lodge under sig- 
nature and seal. It would not be proper for one Lodge to 
return to another Lodge, under whose auspices such a 
document of such organization was issued, with an intima- 
tion that the use of its seal to such a document was illegal, 
as it would be assuming to give law to another Lodge, its 
peer. The address at the head and foot, the official titles 
and seals upon such a document, would seem to convey the 
idea that it is a Lodge document. — 1874, pp. 35, 161, 162. 

732. It is not expedient to pass any general law to 

prohibit Subordinate Lodges from entering into correspond- 
ence with each other without permission from the Grand 
Lodge, as it will interfere with that free communication 
between them which is one of the inherent rights of free 



SUBORDINATE LODGES. 145 

speech and free discussion; but the abuse of this right may 
be punished.— 1869, pp. 349, 393 ; 1870, p. 557. 

733. A motion can be legally entertained under the 
head of Good and Welfare, unless otherwise provided in 
the By-laws or Rules of Order of the Lodge. — 1871, pp. 
21, 99. 

734. Reading the minutes of the Lodge before closing. 
— There is no law requiring the minutes of the night's 
proceedings of a Lodge to be read and acted on prior to 
closing the Lodge.— 1873, pp. 396, 468, 471. 

735. Entries of communications on record. — It is in the 
province of the Lodge to say whether all communications 
from the Grand Lodge shall be recorded in full or not. — 
1873, p. 472. 

736. A Lodge is not responsible for money loaned to 
a member. — A Lodge is not responsible to another Lodge 
for money loaned to one of its members, though the mem- 
ber holds a Visiting Card— 1868, pp. 221, 273. 

737. A special committee does not become extinct 
merely for neglecting to report at a given time, whether the 
Lodge orders it to report at such time . or not. The 
Lodge may, if it sees proper, discharge the committee for 
neglect of duty, and appoint another in its place. — 1874, 
pp. 43, 161. 

738. Tax or assessment to fit up a Lodge room. — A 

Lodge has no right to levy a special tax on its members to 
fit up its Lodge room, unless authorized by special legisla- 
tion, or any tax upon its members unless provided for by 
its By-laws.— 1875, pp. 303, 308, 438, 439, 441. 

739. Committees on candidates are not discharged for 

failing to report at the " next succeeding " meeting, unless 
discharged by a vote of the Lodge. — 1875, pp. 304, 438, 441. 

740. Installation of officers.— A Lodge upon the regular 
night for installation, in the absence of the D. D. G-. M., may 
appoint a Past Grand to install, and the D. D. G. M. has no 
right to withhold the Semi- Annual Password on that ac- 
count.— 1875, pp. 310, 438, 441. 

10 



146 SUBORDINATE LODGES. 



741. Charter must be in Lodge room. — A Lodge can- 
not legally meet and transact business without the Charter 
being in the Lodge room. — 1876, pp. 569, 661, 672. 

742. No meetings on Sunday. — No Lodge can lawfully 
meet on Sunday for regular Lodge business. — 1876, pp. 575, 
659, 664 ; 1879, pp. 617, 618. 

743. Taking care of a sick member by order of his 
Lodge. — Where a Lodge requests a sister Lodge to take 
care of a sick member of the Lodge, the former Lodge is 
required to pay all the expenses that the sister Lodge 
may be obliged to pay in taking care of the sick brother, 
notwithstanding it may be of a larger amount than the 
Lodge pays for sick benefits. — 1875, p. 423. 

744. A Lodge cannot prefer charges against another 
Lodge.— 1875, pp. 312, 438, 441. 

745. A proposition for membership cannot be acted 
upon except at a regular meeting. — 1875, pp. 310, 439, 441. 

746. A Lodge wishing to be incorporated must first 
obtain the consent of the Grand Lodge. — 1885, pp. 497, 562. 

747. A Subordinate Lodge has the right to appropriate 
from its funds for the services of an instructor in the work 
of the Order.— 1888, pp. 596, 597. 

748. The right of a German Lodge to initiate candi- 
dates in the English language does not authorize the Lodge 
to do its whole work in the English language. — 1891, pp. 

76, 257. 

749. A Lodge located at the home of the D. D. G. M. 

has no right to appropriate money to pay him for visiting 
the Lodge or installing its officers. — 1891, pp. 78, 254. 

750. A Lodge must admit to its session, as a visitor, a 
member of the Order who is in good standing and proves 
himself so, if he belongs to a Lodge within the jurisdic- 
tion where he wishes to visit. But if the Lodge he wishes 
to visit is in another jurisdiction, then by the production 
of a valid Card and examination. — 1891, pp. 84, 254. 



SUBORDINATE LODGES. 147 



751. Lodges should not act on appeals for aid coming 
from a source foreign to the Order. — 1891, pp. 85, 254. 

752. A Lodge should not erase any portion of its ap- 
proved minutes. Corrections should be noted in the 
minutes of the meeting at which they are made. — 1891, pp. 
85, 254. 

753. Where the Warden leaves the Lodge room on 

business of the Lodge, and fails to return, the Noble Grand 
has the right to appoint a Warden pro tern., and the work 
of the Lodge done in the absence of the Warden is legal. 
—1891, pp. 85, 254. 

754. Lodges have no right to use envelopes bearing 
the Lodge card in connection with a business card. The 
name of the Order cannot in any way be used for advertis- 
ing purposes. — 1891, pp. 85, 254. 

755. A Lodge, in determining a matter before it, must 
be governed by what the approved minutes of the Lodge 
show the fact to be, as to what had been done, and not by 
the recollection of officers or members of the Lodge. — 189i, 
pp. 86, 254. 

756. At elections in the Lodge for Grand Officers only 
Past Grands of the Lodge can vote. — 1891, pp. 85, 254. 

757. Where a special meeting of a Lodge is held in a 
public hall no admission fee can be charged to members 
of the Order attending such session of the Lodge. — 1891, 
pp. 86, 254. 

758. No dispensation can be granted to change the 
night of Lodge meeting. — Where the regular meeting falls 
on a holiday, when the By-laws of the Lodge are silent in the 
matter, the meeting must be held if a quorum be present. 
Where the election falls upon a holiday and no meeting is 
held, the election must take place on the first regular meet- 
ing in the following month. — 1891, pp. 86, 254. 

759. The consolidation of two Lodges does not change 
the status of members of said Lodges. — 1891, pp. 87, 254. 



148 SUBORDINATE LODGES. 



760. To organize a new Lodge only Third Degree 
members can apply for a Charter. A Lodge that makes 
members for that purpose has a right to donate to the 
new Lodge all moneys received for such purpose, but is 
not obliged to do so.— 1891, pp. 87, 90, 254. 

761. A member of a German Working Lodge who can- 
not speak or understand the German language is not 
eligible to any office therein, where there is a speaking 
part assigned to him or records or minutes to keep. — 1891, 
pp. 87, 254. 

762. A Lodge can change from German to English by 

changing its By-laws by a two-third vote, as provided by 
law. No action of the Grand Lodge or Standing Committee 
is necessary; but changing to German from English does 
before the amendment goes into effect. But a German 
Lodge may initiate in English a candidate who does not 
understand German. — 1891, pp. 87, 254. 

763. A Lodge having received permission from the 
Grand Master to hold an entertainment for profit requires 
no further consent to distribute and sell its tickets, unless 
to members residing in another city or town. In such case 
must have permission from the Grand Master to do so.— 
1891, pp. 88, 254. 

764. The paraphernalia of a Lodge shall not be ex- 
hibited or explained to a stranger, nor to a member who has 
not received the degree in which they belong. — 1891, pp. 
89, 254. 

765. Euchre parties, or any other use which would 
bring reproach to the Order, are not allowable in the Lodge 
rooms.— 1891, pp. 88, 254, 256. 

766. A Lodge initiating and conferring the degrees on 
members who contemplate applying for a Charter for a new 
Lodge cannot refund to them the moneys received from 
them, or any part of the same. — 1891, pp. 90, 254. 

767. Lodge minutes, being read and approved, cannot 
be altered except on direction of the Lodge by vote.— 1891, 
pp. 88, 254. 



SUBORDINATE LODGES. 149 

768. The retiring Secretary of the Lodge must sign the 
annual report ; in case of his refusal to do so the Noble 
Grand can appoint a Secretary pro tern, to perform that 
duty.— 1891, pp. 88, 254. 

769. No Lodge, or any of its officers or members, shall 
issue a letter in its name, under its seal, recommending as- 
sistance, unless the Grand Master shall first give permis- 
sion therefor— 1891, pp. 88, 254. 

770. A Lodge may in a body visit a sister Lodge in 
another jurisdiction, if the Noble Grand or Vice Grand 
be present with his Visiting Card and prove himself on 
examination. — 1891, pp. 88, 254. 

771. No action of the Lodge extending time of pay- 
ment of arrears will operate to relieve a member from the 
disqualification for voting by reason of his not being in 
good standing. The instant a member pays his arrears he 
is entitled to vote.— 1891, pp. 109, 254. 

772. A Lodge has no right to incorporate in its By- 
laws a fine for non-attendance at Lodge meetings. — 1891, 
p. 222. 

773. After the institution of a Lodge three members in 
succession serve as Sitting Past Grand, viz. : A Charter 
member who is a Past Grand, the first Noble Grand of the 
Lodge during the next term, and succeeding him the next 
Noble Grand. The Senior Past Grand of a Lodge is the 
one who first becomes a Past Grand, whether his service 
as Noble Grand was in that or some other Lodge. — 1891, 
pp. 108, 254. 

774. A Lodge can adopt a By-law fining officers for 
non-attendance, but cannot for fining members for non- 
attendance.— 1892, pp. 473, 567. • 

775. The Bible is required to be in the Lodge room. — 

If a Lodge desires it to be read at Lodge meetings they 
must pass a By-law to that effect and abide by the same. — 
1875, pp. 315, 316, 425; 1892, p. 561. 

776. No Lodge shall hold its meetings, or any of them, 
in any village, town, city, or county other than in the one 



150 SUSPENSIONS. 



in which it has been or maybe instituted, or allowed to 
meet without the express permission of this Grand Lodge 
or of the Standing Committee, subject to the approval or 
disapproval of this Grand Lodge. Such permission shall 
not be granted in any case where there is ground for the 
suspicion that a design exists to evade any of the laws of 
the Order or of this Grand Lodge, and any violation of this 
resolution shall be punishable by suspension or expulsion 
of the offending Lodge.— 1892, p.' 523. 

777. Memorial Day. — The 10th day of June in each year 
is set apart as Memorial and Decoration Day of the Order 
in the State of New York, and the Grand Master and Grand 
Secretary instructed to issue proclamation annually to that 
effect.— 1887, p. 360. 

778. It is not lawful for members of either District 
Grand Committees or Subordinate Lodges, during the 
sessions of the same, to smoke cigars or pipes. — 1888, 
p. 580. 

779. Subordinate Lodges in taking the votes of their 
Past Grands for Grand Officers have no volition of their 
own, but must carry out the laws as laid down by the Grand 
Lodge.— 1891, pp. 76, 254, 257. 

780. Section 8, Article ii., Constitution of Subordi- 
nates, does not apply to the holder of a Dismissal Certifi- 
cate.— 1891, pp. 99, 254. 



SUSPENSIONS. 



781. Of members. — Sec. 1. When any member of this 
Lodge shall neglect or refuse to pay the dues fixed by the 
By-laws for the space of one year, the Secretary shall re- 
port the same to the Noble Grand, and, unless the Lodge 
otherwise direct, such member shall thereupon be sus- 
pended (he having been first notified of the action that 
would be taken), a record of which shall be made upon the 
minutes. To render him such, the Lodge must formally 
declare him to be suspended. Provided, nevertheless, any 
member who may be in the naval service of the United 
States, or engaged in the commercial marine sailing to 



SUSPENSIONS. 151 



foreign or coastwise ports, shall be allowed twelve months 
in addition to the time above specified. — Art. vii., Const. 
Sub. L. 

782. Sec. 2. Any member who shall violate any of the 
principles of the Order, or offend against the Constitution, 
By-laws, or Rules of Order of this Lodge, shall be fined, 
reprimanded, suspended, or expelled, as the By-laws may 
direct or the Lodge determine. — Art. vii., Const. Sub. L. 

783. When a member is suspended. — A member is not 
suspended until reported in open Lodge by the Secretary 
to the Noble Grand, and by him declared suspended, in ac- 
cordance with Section 1, Article vii., Constitution of Sub- 
ordinates, notwithstanding a custom prevails in the Lodge 
that when members are twelve months in arrears they are 
suspended without any action of the Lodge. — 1869, pp. 340, 
402, 405 ; 342, 403, 406. 

784. A member is not suspended until declared so. — 
It is the duty of the Permanent Secretary to receive a 
brother's dues when tendered before his suspension is de- 
clared by the Noble Grand. A brother is not suspended, 
and cannot be, who tenders his dues to the Permanent 
Secretary after he, the Permanent Secretary, has handed 
to the Noble Grand a list of the names of brothers liable to 
suspension, of which this brother is one, before the Noble 
Grand has actually declared the suspension. — 1871, pp. 
25, 99. 

785. Not for arrears, except for dues. — A brother can- 
not be suspended for non-payment of arrears, excepting for 
dues. — 1877, pp. 11, 156. 

786. Not for a judgment held by the Lodge. — A Lodge 
has a judgment against one of its members ; it cannot be 
charged against him as dues, nor can he be suspended for 
the non-payment of the same. — 1878, p. 372. 

787. A member suspended for non-payment of dues 
is not wrongfully suspended if the dues are owing for a full 
year and the requisite notice be given him. His entrusting 
the money to any member or officer of the Lodge, other 
than the Permanent Secretarv, does not charge the Lodge 
with the receipt of the money.— 1891, pp. 98, 99, 254, 258. 



152 TRIALS. 



788. Reinstatement of a member suspended for non- 
payment of dues requires a majority vote of the members. 
The voting is to be done by ball ballot. A member so 
applying, and being rejected, may immediately apply again 
for reinstatement. There is no limit to the repetition of 
his application until he shall be reinstated, if he be. — 1891, 
pp. 99, 254. 

789. A brother suspended for non-payment of dues, 

who has been so suspended for five years or has been re- 
fused reinstatement on proper application therefor, having 
removed to another State and wishing to join the Order 
there, is entitled to a Dismissal Certificate on demand and 
paying one dollar fee therefor. No vote of the Lodge is 
necessary on application for such certificate. — 1891, pp. 99, 
254, 259. 

790. Suspension of a member for an indefinite period 
is contrary to law; no reconsideration is necessary. It is 
the duty of the Noble Grand to declare the same as null 
and void, and after such declaration the Lodge should pro- 
ceed forthwith to affix the penalty, as provided by the Con- 
stitution of Subordinates. — 1886, pp. 83, 84. 



TRIALS. 



791. Of Lodges. — Sec 1. No Subordinate or Degree 
Lodge or District Grand Committee shall be expelled or 
suspended, or deprived of any of its rights or privileges, 
exeept as provided in the Constitution or By-laws of this 
Grand Lodge. 

Mode of Trial,— Sec. 2. Whenever any Subordinate or 
Degree Lodge shall violate the Constitution, Laws, or Reg- 
ulations of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, or of this Grand 
Lodge, or of a District Grand Committee, such Lodge shall 
be liable to trial and punishment as hereinafter provided. 

Charges to be made. — Sec. 3. Before any Subordinate or 
Degree Lodge can be put on trial, charges duly specifying 
the offence shall be preferred to the Grand Lodge by a Dis- 
trict Grand Committee, or by the Grand Master, or D. D. 
G-. M. of the District in which such Lodge may be located, 
and upon receipt thereof by the Grand Secretary he shall 
present the same to the Standing Committee, and such 



TRIALS. 153 



committee shall, if the charges are in due form, appoint not 
less than three Past Grands, who are disinterested in the 
subject-matter of the charges and who reside near the loca- 
tion of the accused Lodge, to act as commissioners to take 
testimony in the case, before whom the parties shall be 
summoned with their counsel and evidence, their books and 
papers ; and the testimony which may be so taken shall be 
reduced to writing and returned by the commissioners to 
the Grand Lodge, and upon the receipt thereof by the 
Grand Secretary he shall give at least ten days' notice to 
the parties of the time when the charges and evidence will 
be laid by him before the Grand Lodge, which shall be as 
soon as practicable after their receipt. At the time ap- 
pointed the papers shall be presented and the respective 
parties shall be heard by counsel, if they desire it, after 
which the Grand Lodge shall proceed to examine the case ; 
provided, that no Lodge shall be suspended or expelled un- 
less by a two-third vote of the Grand Lodge, and all sus- 
pensions shall be for a limited time. 

Status of Lodge. — Sec. 4. When a Lodge under this juris- 
diction shall have notice that charges are preferred against 
it, such Lodge shall not, during the pendency of such 
charges, grant any Clearance Cards, except to members who 
have removed, or who intend, bona fide, within one month 
after their application, to remove out of the county in 
which such Lodge is located ; and, until such charges are 
disposed of, such Lodge shall make no disposition or trans- 
fer of any of its property or its funds, except to pay 
its debts and current expenses and benefits accruing to 
members. 

Organizing bogus Lodges. — Sec. 5. Any brother or brothers 
who shall be concerned in organizing, or who shall give 
countenance or support to, or shall visit, any Lodge in this 
jurisdiction purporting to be Odd Fellows, and not possess- 
ing a legal, unreclaimed, and valid Charter, duly granted 
by this Grand Lodge, or a Dispensation issued by the 
Standing Committee, shall be deemed unworthy of fellow- 
ship ; and such brother, upon satisfactory proof, shall be 
suspended or expelled, at the option of the Lodge of which 
he is a member, and any brother so expelled shall not be 
reinstated unless the Grand Lodge assents thereto. Nor 
shall any person who has been in membership in any 
spurious or illegal Lodge claiming to be Odd Fellows, be 
received into any regular Lodge without the consent of the 
Grand Lodge. — Art. x., By-laws G. L. 



154 TRIALS. 



792. Offences and Penalties. — Non-payment of Dues, — 
Sec. 1. When any member of this Lodge shall neglect or 
refuse to pay the dues fixed by the By-laws for the space 
of one year, the Secretary shall report the same to the 
Noble Grand, and, unless the Lodge otherwise direct, such 
member shall thereupon be suspended (he having been 
first notified of the action that would be taken), a record of 
which shall be made upon the minutes. To render him 
such, the Lodge must formally declare him to be suspended. 
Provided, nevertheless, any member who may be in the naval 
service of the United States, or engaged in the commercial 
marine sailing to foreign or coastwise ports, shall be al- 
lowed twelve months in addition to the time above specified. 

Penalties. — Sec. 2. Any member who shall violate any of 
the principles of the Order, or offend against the Constitu- 
tion, By-laws, or Rules of Order of this Lodge, shall be 
fined, reprimanded, suspended, or expelled, as the By-laws 
may direct or the Lodge determine. 

Bogus Lodges. — Sec. 3. No member of this Lodge shall 
be concerned in organizing, or give countenance and sup- 
port to, or knowingly visit any Lodge within the jurisdic- 
tion of this Grand Lodge, purporting to be Odd Fellows, 
and not possessing a legal, unreclaimed, and valid Charter. 

Non-payment of Fines. — Sec. 4. Any member who shall 
have been fined in accordance with Section 2 of this Arti- 
cle, and who shall allow said fine to remain unpaid for two 
weeks after receiving notice thereof, shall thereafter be 
deprived of his right to speak and vote until all such fines 
are paid or revoked; and no member shall be eligible for 
any office, nor shall he be entitled to the Semi-Annual 
Password, or to a Visiting or Withdrawal Card while there 
are one or more unpaid fines standing against him ; pro- 
vided, however, that no fine or fines imposed on any officer 
of a Lodge shall prevent his performance of the duties of 
his office during the term for which he was elected or ap- 
pointed. Any member may pay under protest any fine 
imposed upon him, without in any way affecting his right 
of appeal from the imposition of snch fine; and if said fine 
shall be revoked on appeal the Lodge must at once refund 
to such member the amount of the fine so paid. If any 
member shall allow a fine to remain unpaid for four weeks 
after receiving notice thereof, the Lodge shall have the 
right to deduct the amount from any benefits, sick or 
funeral, which may thereafter accrue to said member. — 
Art. vii., Const. Sub. L. 



TRIALS. 155 



793. Conviction for Felony. — Sec. 1. The conviction of 
any member of a felony shall operate as an expulsion of 
such member from the Order; and, upon the filing of a 
certified or exemplified copy of the judgment of such con- 
viction with the Lodge of which he is a member, the Noble 
Grand thereof shall forthwith announce such expulsion, 
and the same shall take effect as of the date of such con- 
viction. Provided, however, that a reversal of the judg- 
ment of such conviction shall operate as a reinstatement of 
the member so expelled. 

Charges to be preferred. — Except as above provided, every 
member shall be entitled to a fair trial for any offence in- 
volving reprimand, suspension (excepting for non-payment 
of dues), or expulsion. No member shall be put upon trial, 
unless charges duly specifying the offence, so as fully to 
apprise him of the nature thereof, and enable him to pre- 
pare for his defence, shall be submitted to the Lodge in 
writing, signed by a member of the Order. 

Trial on Charges. — Sec. 2. Such charges shall be referred 
to a committee of five members, who shall, if possible, be 
chosen from among the peers of the accused. And in case 
any of the committee so chosen shall be challenged for 
cause, such challenge shall be tried by the Lodge. When 
all the members present decline or refuse to serve on such 
committee, the Noble Grrand shall summon all the members 
of the Lodge to be present at the next succeeding meeting. 
If the Lodge then fails to secure a Trial Committee, it shall 
be the duty of the District Deputy of the District to prefer 
charges against the Lodge to the Grand Master for insub- 
ordination. Such committee shall, without unnecessary 
delay, summon the parties and try the case. They shall 
keep full minutes of their proceedings and evidence, which 
they shall report to the Lodge, together with their decision 
on the charges. Upon such report being made, notice 
thereof shall forthwith be given by the Secretary to both 
parties, and if no appeal be taken, in writing, in two weeks 
thereafter, it shall be final. 

Finding of Committee. — Sec. 3. If the committee decide 
that the charges are sustained, and no appeal be taken 
therefrom, or if the Lodge shall, on appeal, decide that the 
charges are sustained, it shall proceed to affix a penalty for 
the offence. If a specific penalty be provided for in the 
Constitution or By-laws, the Noble Grand shall enforce it. 
If none be so provided, the Lodge shall decide, by ballot, 
whether the penalty shall be expulsion, suspension, or 



156 TRIALS. 



reprimand. During the ballot the accused brother shall 
withdraw from the Lodge room. If upon the ballot it shall 
appear that two-thirds of the ballots are cast for expulsion, 
such shall be the penalty. If two-thirds of the ballots are 
not cast for expulsion, but the number of ballots, if any, 
which are cast for expulsion, together with those which are 
cast for suspension, amount to two-thirds of the ballots 
cast, then suspension shall be the penalty, and the Lodge 
shall proceed to fix the duration of such suspension. If 
neither expulsion nor suspension is determined as the 
penalty, as above provided, then the penalty shall be repri- 
mand, and the accused brother shall be reprimanded in 
open Lodge by the acting Noble Grand. No ballot held 
under this Section shall be reconsidered. 

Neglect to stand Trial. — Sec. 4. If the accused refuse or 
neglect to stand trial when duly summoned, the committee 
shall report him guilty of contempt of the Lodge, which 
report shall be conclusive, and the punishment shall be ex- 
pulsion. In case of non-residence of the accused he may 
be represented by his counsel, and tried as though present, 
if he so elect. 

When sentenced. — Sec. 5. When a member shall be sub- 
ject to the penalty of reprimand, he shall be summoned to 
attend at some regular meeting, to be fixed by the Noble 
Grand, to be reprimanded from the Noble Grand's chair, 
and until he so attend and be reprimanded he shall be 
suspended from benefits and privileges of membership. 

Notice to Lodges. — Sec. 6. Notice of the expulsion or sus- 
pension of a member shall, after the expiration of twenty 
days from the date thereof, be given to the Lodges of this 
county, and the Encampments of this and the adjoining 
counties ; if the member be a Past Grand, notice shall be 
given the Grand Committee of the District, and to the 
Grand Lodge. Provided, if a member so expelled or sus- 
pended has filed, according to law, an appeal against the 
action of his Lodge, such notice shall not be given until 
the Grand Committee of the District, or the Grand Lodge 
of the State, shall have sustained the action of the Lodge 
in expelling or suspending such member. 

When to appeal. — Sec. 7. Any member intending to ap- 
peal from the action of the Lodge shall, within twenty days 
thereafter, file with the Secretary a notice of his appeal and 
of the grounds thereof, upon which the Secretary shall 
forthwith send the notice, together with a certified copy of 
all charges, reports, evidence, and proceedings of the Lodge 



TRIALS. 157 



relating to the case, to the Grand Committee of the Dis- 
trict. — Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 

794. Charges, how drawn. — Rule 1. All charges against 
members of this Order shall be drawn substantially in the 
manner prescribed in Form 1, Section 6, of this Code, and 
be signed by a member of the Order in good standing. 
The general charge shall be an averment of " Conduct un- 
becoming an Odd Fellow," followed by specification or 
specifications, stating as near as may be the time, place, 
and circumstances of the offence. — Sec. 1, Code Procedure. 

795. A Lodge cannot prefer charges.— A Lodge cannot 
prefer charges against a member of the Lodge unless the 
By-laws so provide. — 1867, pp. 83, 153, 155. 

796. A Lodge cannot appoint a committee to prefer 
charges. — It is irregular for the Noble Grand of a Lodge to 
appoint a committee to prefer charges against a brother. 
It is the privilege, and the duty, of any member in good 
standing in the Order to prefer charges against a brother 
who may have made himself liable. A Lodge, as a Lodge, 
cannot prefer charges against one of its own members. — 
1867, pp. 83, 153 ; 1871, pp. 23, 99. 

797. A Lodge may appoint a committee for a prelimi- 
nary investigation. — The By-laws of a Lodge may provide 
for a preliminary investigation as to whether the illness, 
for which benefits are claimed, is feigned or has arisen 
from intemperance or other immoral conduct, and may 
direct the committee to prefer charges if there is evidence 
that the brother is guilty.— 1867, pp. 141, 142, 151 ; 1873, 
pp. 486, 487. 

798. Appointment of Committee on Charges. — The 

By-laws of a Lodge may provide for the appointment of 
the minority of the Committee on Charges by the Vice 
Grand.— 1867, pp. 140, 142, 151. 

799. Charges against the Noble Grand of a Lodge. — 

The Vice Grand of a Lodge will preside while charges 
against the Noble Grand are pending, and appoint the 
committee to investigate charges against him. — 1867, pp. 
82, 153. 



158 TRIALS. 



800. Upon charges against the Noble Grand of a 
Lodge, the Lodge cannot appoint a Past Grand to preside. 
The Vice Grand will assnme the principal chair as soon as 
charges are preferred against the Noble Grand. It is not 
only his prerogative, bnt his duty, to occnpy the chair in 
such case. The Lodge has no right to select a Past Grand 
to occupy the principal chair during the incompetency or 
absence of the Noble Grand while the Vice Grand is pres- 
ent.— 1867, pp. 82, 153; 1871, pp. 26, 99. 

801. New charges against a brother already under 
charges. — When charges are pending before a Committee 
of Trial, and before whom the accused has not appeared, 
it is competent for the Lodge to receive other charges 
against the accused, either from the same or another com- 
plainant, and refer the new charges to the same committee. 
—1871, pp. 26, 99. 

802. Charges in relation to business matters between 
brothers cannot be the subject of charges before the Lodge. 
The Lodge is not the proper place to settle business mat- 
ters, and all such charges should be discountenanced and 
forbidden.— 1871, p. 106. 

803. No vote required to receive charges against a 
brother. — When charges are preferred against a brother 
it is not necessary that the Lodge should vote to receive 
them ; they must be received and referred to a committee 
of ^.ve members.— 1868, pp. 220, 273. 

804. Appointment of committee ; no discussion on the 
charges. — When specific charges are preferred against a 
member it is the duty of the Noble Grand to appoint a 
committee to try the charges. When read in open Lodge 
it would be but fair to the parties concerned that a trial 
should take place. When the report of the committee 
comes before the Lodge, if the charges appear frivolous, the 
Lodge can decide the question upon its merits ; if voted 
upon before reference to a committee, great injustice might 
be done. The decision is : First, that the charges must be 
received without discussing their merits, and referred to a 
committee for trial. Second, the Lodge cannot vote to lay 
the charges on the table ; regular action must be taken, as 
provided in Article viii., Constitution of Subordinates. It 



TRIALS. 159 



would be very unjust for a Lodge to refuse to receive 
charges properly presented against a brother. A Lodge 
could thus shield an influential member from proper pun- 
ishment, should he violate the law, while one poor and with 
less influence would be made to suffer all its consequences. 
No Lodge could vote intelligently upon charges when 
presented without a full and free discussion of their merits, 
which, for obvious reasons, would be highly improper be- 
fore the committee present their report to the Lodge. — 

1868, pp. 220, 273. 

805. Withdrawal of charges. — After charges have been 
referred to a committee they cannot be withdrawn without 
the consent of the accused and of the Lodge. The accused 
must consent, and he has the right to investigation if he 
so desires.— 1869, pp. 341, 402, 406. 

806. Members cannot be expelled, except on charges. 
— No brother can be expelled, except on charges regularly 
preferred and trial had (except for contempt) in conformity 
to law, although the offence was committed in the presence 
of the Lodge.— 1872, p. 289. 

807. Members convicted and imprisoned for crime, 
how proceeded against. — By service of charges, or leaving 
notice of the same at his last place of residence, with a 
person of suitable age and discretion. The proof that a 
brother has been convicted of a crime may be made the 
same as any other proof ; certificate of conviction is the 
most positive, which can always be obtained through the 
Clerk of the county or Recorder of the city where the con- 
viction was had. Charges must be regularly preferred, 
proof given, etc. The brother in confinement and unable 
to be present could not be expelled for contempt ; every- 
thing must be done the same as though he was present. — 

1869, pp. 342, 403, 406. 

808. Once intoxicated. — A brother has been found 
guilty of being intoxicated once ; this does not constitute 
a violation of the By-law- which declares that a person 
who is guilty of drunkenness is liable to expulsion. — 1869, 
pp. 345, 404, 407. 

809. Charges may be made against a brother at any 
time, although he may be sick at the time. — 1876, pp. 
575, 659. 



160 TRIALS. COMMITTEES. 

810. Counsel for a brother under charges. — A Noble 
Grand of the Lodge cannot act as counsel on a trial of a 
brother in his own Lodge.— 1878, pp. 274, 363. 

811. Challenge of Trial Committee. — The time to chal- 
lenge a member of the Trial Committee is before pleading 
to the charge preferred. — 1867, pp. 80, 153 ; 1876, pp. 567, 
659,664. 

812. A brother under charges may appear by counsel. 
— A brother has the right to appear by counsel and not in 
person, when charges are preferred against him, though he 
may be at the time in the place. — 1875, pp. 310, 438, 441. 

813. Counsel ; a suspended member (for non-payment 
of dues) may act as the counsel for a brother before the 
Committee on Charges. — 1867, pp. 80, 153. 

But a lawyer, not a member of the Order, cannot act for 
a member on trial.— 1868, pp. 221, 273. 

He must be a member, although not necessarily in good 
standing.— 1873, pp. 472, 473. . 

1. COMMITTEES AND PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THEM. 

814. Number of committee. — Sec. 2. Such charges shall 
be referred to a committee of five members, who shall, if 
possible, be chosen from among the peers of the accused. 
And in case any of the committee so chosen shall be chal- 
lenged for cause, such challenge shall be tried by the 
Lodge. When all the members present decline or refuse to 
serve on such committee, the Noble Grand shall summon 
all the members of the Lodge to be present at the next 
succeeding meeting. If the Lodge then fails to secure a 
Trial Committee, it shall be the duty of the District Deputy 
of the District to prefer charges against the Lodge to the 
Grand Master for insubordination. Such committee shall, 
without unnecessary delay, summon the parties and try 
the case. They shall keep full minutes of their proceedings 
and evidence, which they shall report to the Lodge, to- 
gether with their decision on the charges. Upon such 
report being made, notice thereof shall forthwith be given 
by the Secretary to both parties, and if no appeal be taken, 
in writing, in two weeks thereafter, it shall be final. — Art. 
viii., Const. Sub. L. 



TRIALS. COMMITTEES. 161 

815. Duty of Noble Grand.— Rule 2. The Noble Grand 
shall, immediately after the reading of the charge, nomi- 
nate a Committee of Trial, consisting of five, who must, if 
possible, have attained the same or a higher degree than 
that attained by the accused. Should the By-laws of the 
Lodge so provide, the minority of the committee will be 
nominated by the Vice Grand. 

Challenges. — Rule 3. Any member nominated on the 
committee may be challenged for cause by the accuser, 
accused, or any member of the Lodge. The grounds of 
challenge shall be stated and referred to the Lodge for its 
decision. A majority of those voting shall be necessary 
to confirm the nomination. — Sec. 1, Code Procedure. 

816. Duty of Secretary. — Rule 4. The Secretary shall 
make a copy of the charge and specifications, affix thereto 
the seal of the Lodge, and certify it substantially according 
to Form 2, Section 6 of this Code, and serve or cause the 
same to be served upon the accused. He shall also certify 
under seal the original, and deliver to the first-named 
member of the committee, according to Form 3, Section 6 
of the Code, and shall notify each member thereof of his 
appointment. — Sec. 1, Code Procedure. 

817. Notice of Trial. — Rule 5. The member of said com- 
mittee receiving such original shall, with reasonable dili- 
gence, call a meeting of the committee for organization, at 
which a chairman and secretary shall be elected, and a 
suitable place and time be appointed for an adjourned 
meeting, to attend which the accuser and accused shall be 
served with personal notice, if they can be found; if not, by 
leaving it at their places of residence, substantially accord- 
ing to Form 4, Section 6 of the Code, at least one week 
prior thereto, at which time the accused shall answer the 
charges. 

Pleading to Charges, — Rule 6. The accuser and accused 
being present and answering, the charge and specifications 
shall be read and the accused be required to make answer 
to each specification contained in the charge. Should the 
accused object to a specification on the ground of indefinite- 
ness, the accuser shall have leave to amend, provided such 
amendment be made immediately. The accused may then 
plead to each specification either or several of the following 
answers : 
li 



1 62 TRIALS. COMMITTEES. 



1. That the alleged offence is not within the legal jurisdiction of the 

Lodge. 

2. That the complaint contained in the specification is frivolous. 

3. Admit the facts stated, with intent to justify alleged offence. 

4. Guilty ._ 

5. Not guilty. 

Sec. 1, Code Procedure. 

818. Quorum of committee. — The committee all being 
notified, three members shall constitute a quorum to pro- 
ceed with the trial. — Rule 1, Sec. 2, Code Procedure. 

819. Minutes to be kept. — Rule 3. The committee shall 
keep correct minutes of their proceedings, which must 
show: 

1. The date and place of each meeting, and the parties present. 

2. Charge and specifications, and answers of the accused. 

3. All points raised and the decisions thereon. 

4. The exceptions taken by either party. 

5. Parol evidence in full, subscribed by the witnesses. 

6. Documentary evidence distinctly marked. 

7. Decision of committee upon each specification and charge. 

Signing the report. — Rule 4. The report must be signed 
by at least three members. 

Duty of committee to interpret. — Rule 5. That where a 
trial of charges is being had before the committee of a 
Lodge which works in the German language, and either 
party has counsel who is unable to speak or understand 
that language, it is the duty of the Trial Committee to 
interpret, question by question, answer by answer, and its 
entire proceedings as had, for the information of counsel 
and the protection of the interests of the party whom he 
represents. — Sec. 2, Code Procedure. 

820. Refusal to stand trial. — Sec. 4. If the accused re- 
fuse or neglect to stand trial when duly summoned, the 
committee shall report him guilty of contempt of the Lodge, 
which report shall be conclusive, and the punishment shall 
be expulsion. In case of non-residence of the accused he 
may be represented by his counsel and tried as though 
present, if he so elect. — Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 

821. Contempt; pleas; refusal to plead ; committee. — 
On the appearance of an accused brother before a Com- 
mittee of Trial he pleaded that the committee had no 
jurisdiction of the offence charged, and refused to plead 



TRIALS. — COMMITTEES. 163 

any other or different plea; afterwards the accused ap- 
peared before a new Committee of Trial, made the same 
plea, and again refused to make any other. The com- 
mittee then reported to the Lodge that the accused was 
guilty of contempt of the Lodge for such refusal, and the 
Noble Grand declared him expelled from the Order. On 
appeal, the Grand Lodge held he was not guilty of con- 
tempt.— 1872, p. 307. 

822. Appearing by counsel ; contempt. — A brother has 
a right to appear before a Committee on Trial of Charges 
by counsel who is a member of the Order, who may con- 
duct the trial in the absence of the accused ; and it is not 
" contempt of the Lodge " to absent himself from the meet- 
ings of the committee if he has such counsel present ready 
to proceed with the trial. The contempt provided for by 
the laws of the Order is the refusal to stand trial ; and if he 
does not appear when summoned, either in person or by 
counsel, it is a refusal to stand trial. One cannot be said 
to be guilty of contempt in refusing to do an act, when he 
is ready and willing, by an agent or otherwise, to do the 
very act for refusing to do which he would be guilty of 
contempt if he did refuse. — 1873, p. 483. 

823. Condonation of offences. — When a Lodge becomes 
defunct and surrenders its Charter, and the Charter is 
afterward restored to certain of its members, those mem- 
bers are restored to good and regular standing ; and if they 
had been guilty of any offence prior to restoration the act 
of restoration condoned that offence, unless they were 
guilty of some fraud or misrepresentation in reference to 
the offence on their seeking restoration. — 1873, p. 483. 

824. Notice. — Where objection is made that the requi- 
site notice was not given, and it does not appear from the 
return whether any or what notice was given, and the body 
renders a decision, it will be assumed that the proceedings 
were regular and due notice given. In case no notice was 
given, appearing and proceeding with the hearing waives 
the error.— 1873, p. 482. 

825. Waiver of technicalities. — A technical error, in no 
way affecting the merits, will not be considered on appeal. 
—1873, p. 483. 



164 TRIALS. COMMITTEES. 



826. Adjournment ; counsel ; contempt ; report. — 

When the Committee on Charges are organized and meet 
for trial, and the parties are duly summoned and appear, it 
is discretionary with the committee to proceed with the 
trial or adjourn to accommodate the parties. If the accused 
appears and is not ready for trial, and shows sufficient 
cause to the satisfaction of the committee, the committee, 
in justice to the accused and in order to give him a fair 
trial, ought to grant an adjournment. The same rule would 
apply to the accuser. If the committee in such a case 
should refuse to grant the accused a fair trial, their pro- 
ceedings would be set aside and a new trial granted. In 
the case stated the accuser might have proceeded with his 
side of the case, and then an adjournment could have been 
granted to accommodate the accused. When the accused 
appears and desires a trial, but is denied his right to an 
adjournment or to get counsel, and on that ground alone 
refuses or neglects to stand trial, he would not be guilty of 
contempt, as provided by Section 4, Article viii., Constitu- 
tion of Subordinates. If, under such circumstances, the 
committee report the accused guilty of contempt, the 
Lodge should refer the case back to the committee for a 
new trial or for further proceedings and a trial. The re- 
port of the committee shall lie over two weeks to enable 
the accused to appeal, he appearing before the committee, 
and on the appeal the Lodge, upon the statement of the 
facts, may refer the case back in order to give the accused 
a fair trial. — 1871, pp. 24, 99. 

827. New charges. — If new charges are preferred pend- 
ing a trial, and referred to the same committee, the com- 
mittee should first proceed with the original charges, and 
when the trial of them is completed take up the additional 
ones, provided they contain new acts, remembering that in 
law no person can be twice tried for the same offence. — 
1869, pp. 342, 403, 406. 

828. Challenging Committee of Trial. — The proper time 
to challenge a member of the Committee of Trial is in the 
Lodge at the time of their appointment, or before the first 
meeting of the committee. But if the accused was not 
present at the time of appointment he would have the 
right at any time before pleading to the charge. — 1876, pp. 
567, 659, 664. 



TRIALS. COMMITTEES. 1 65 

829. A brother cannot be tried twice for the same 
offence. — When an accused brother has been tried on 
charges and acquitted by the Lodge on the merits, it is 
final. No brother can be tried twice for the same offence, 
and a District Grand Committee on appeal reversed the 
action of the Lodge because one of the Trial Committee 
was not the peer of the accused, and sent the case back to 
the Lodge for another trial. Held by the Grand Lodge, 
error. The only person entitled to make the objection 
named was the accused ; and he, having waived that point 
by standing trial before the said committee, could not 
be tried again for the same offence. — 1874, p. 168. 

830. An Investigating Committee has no right to 
report not guilty where the defendant has pleaded guilty ; 
but such plea of guilty on the specifications does not of 
itself require a report of guilty on the charge of conduct 
unbecoming an Odd Fellow.— 1880, pp. 112, 113. 

831. A District Grand Committee has not jurisdiction 
to go into details of the merits of the case after a plea of 
guilty is made on the part of the defendant. — 1880, pp. 42, 
112, 113. 

832. An admission of guilt vitiates all previous pro- 
ceedings held before the Investigating Committee, also all 
irregularities and informalities. — 1880, pp. 42, 112, 113. 

833. It is not proper for the Noble Grand of a Lodge, 
before whom charges were made against a brother, to act 
as one of the Trial Committee. — 1884, p. 351. 

834. The Committee of Trial, who may be guilty of 
wrong or illegal acts on the trial before them, are liable to 
charges. Charges should be preferred individually. If the 
Noble Grand is one of the committee the Yice Grand 
should appoint the Trial Committee on said charges. The 
said Noble Grand has no right to preside when such charges 
are pending. — 1884, pp. 351, 352. 

835. Charges against a Committee of Trial should be 
made separately ; and it is no violation of law for a Trial 
Committee to adjourn the case for the convenience of one 
of the parties in the case ; and it is the duty of the Secre- 



166 TRIALS. — COMMITTEES. 

tary of the Lodge to receive all charges and certify them 
according to law, although he may be one of the defendants 
in the charges. — 1884, p. 354. 

836. A Lodge cannot instruct an officer, a committee, 
or a member to prefer charges against a member. An 
officer may prefer charges, but it must be in his individual 
capacity as a member, not as an officer. — 1891, pp. 79, 254. 

837. The Noble Grand of a Lodge, knowing a member 
to have been guilty of conduct unbecoming an Odd Fel- 
low, should in his individual capacity prefer charges there- 
for, or have the same preferred voluntarily by some member, 
who becomes the accuser, but cannot be by order of the 
Noble Grand.— 1891, pp. 79, 254. 

838. A member committing a fraud on the Order by 

misrepresentations as to his health on his proposition for 
membership, is liable to charges thereon. — 1891, pp. 79, 254. 

839. A member who converts Lodge or Association 
funds or other funds to his own use, is liable to charges 
and trial thereon. — 1891, pp. 79, 254. 

840. An officer or member of a Lodge who receives 
money from a member with instructions to pay the same 
in on account of the member's indebtedness, and who fails 
to so pay the money over to the proper officer of the Lodge 
for the purposes so requested, is liable to charges for mal- 
feasance and to punishment on conviction. — 1891, pp. 79, 
254. 

841. An Odd Fellow who in a Rebekah Lodge or else- 
where falsely represents himself as a Past Grand, is thereby 
guilty of conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow and liable to 
charges therefor, and, on conviction, to expulsion, if the 
By-laws of the Lodge fix no specific penalty for that 
offence.— 1891, pp. 79, 254. 

842. A Permanent Secretary falsely crediting himself 
for dues not paid is liable to charges for conduct unbecom- 
ing an Odd Fellow. The charges must be made by a 
member in his individual capacity. The Lodge may in- 
vestigate the fact by committee, and, there being false 



TRIALS. — COMMITTEES. ■ 167 

entries in the account, the Lodge may instruct the Perma- 
nent Secretary to erase the false entries in the Ledger. — 
1891, pp. 80, 254. 

843. A member known to have stolen from a member 
or any other person, or known to have betrayed a girl or 
woman, is liable to charges. — 1891, pp. 80, 254. 

844. A member borrowing money of a Lodge and fail- 
ing or refusing to pay the same, is not liable to charges 
unless obtained under false pretence, or the original trans- 
action otherwise involved his own personal dishonesty. — 
1891, pp. 80, 254. 

845. A Vice Grand does not nominate a minority of 
the Committee of Trial on charges preferred. — 1891, p. 80, 
254. 

846. A Noble Grand, under Rule 2, Section 1 of Code 
of Procedure, cannot reject the charges preferred, but shall 
nominate a Committee of Trial. — 1891, pp. 80, 254. 

847. A Committee of Trial must be appointed by the 
Noble Grand, not elected. Should be done at time of read- 
ing the charges ; if neglected then, should be made at the 
next regular Lodge meeting. Accuser or accused may ob- 
ject to any member of the committee, by challenge, stating 
grounds of objection, which challenge must be determined 
by vote of the Lodge.— 1891, p. 80, 254. 

848. Charges against a member in a State Prison 
must be served on him personally. — 1891, pp. 80, 81, 254. 

849. Charges preferred and afterwards withdrawn is 

no bar to the said charges being again preferred ; but on 
the question of receiving them discussion on the same 
should be permitted. — 1891, pp. 81. 254. 

850. Charges preferred and referred to a Committee 
of Trial may be withdrawn and committee discharged by 
consent of accuser, accused and Lodge. — 1891, pp. 81, 254. 

851. Officers or members serving papers on the ac- 
cused. — The Trial Committee and witnesses attending to 



1 68 TRIALS.— COMMITTEES. 



testify are not entitled to compensation; but those who 
serve papers and the Trial Committee should be reimbursed 
for necessary travel in the performance of their duties. — 
1891, pp. 81, 254. 

852. On a trial upon charges. — The appearance of the 
accused may be in person or by counsel. Sickness is a good 
excuse for necessary absence of the accused, and he cannot 
be, under such circumstances, in contempt for want of ap- 
pearance. A motion of counsel for an adjournment in 
such case is addressed to the discretion of the committee, 
subject to appeal. — 1891, pp. 81, 254. 

853. An accused member, who has appeared before 
the Trial Committee and obtained an adjournment, can- 
not be found guilty of contempt in not appearing on the 
adjourned day.— 1871, pp. 116, 117; 1891, pp.81, 82, 254. 

854. A member of the Trial Committee cannot be used 
for the prosecution as a witness, nor can the defence in- 
validate the proceedings by calling a member of the Trial 
Committee as a witness ; but if called in good faith to give 
material testimony he should not act further on the com- 
mittee.— 1891, pp. 82, 254. 

855. No brother can be twice placed in jeopardy upon 
or required twice to defend the same charges against him. 
The proofs being insufficient to prove the charges, and so 
adjudged by the Lodge, the case cannot be sent to a new 
committee for trial. — 1891, pp. 82, 254. 

856. A Trial Committee cannot recommend the pen- 
alty on conviction of the accused ; but it is no ground of 
appeal. The penalty is to be determined by the Lodge. — 
1891, pp. 82, 254. 

857. A member expelled by his Lodge upon conviction 
on charges loses all his rights in the Order from the time 
the vote is taken and result is declared until he shall be 
restored by reversal of the action of the Lodge, or by re- 
instatement on application therefor. There is no stay of 
sentence of expulsion. — 1891, pp. 82, 254. 

858. A member expelled or suspended by his Lodge 
upon charges is not entitled to the Semi- Annual Password 



TRIALS. — EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES. 169 

or to visit his own or a sister Lodge, nor to funeral benefits 
on the death of his wife, unless the decision of the Lodge 
is reversed.— 1891, pp. 82, 83, 254. 

859. Where a brother has been duly notified to appear 
and testify as a witness on charges by his Lodge, and 
refuses to appear and testify, he is liable to charges of con- 
tempt and conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow. — 1893, pp. 
43, 142. 

860. A Lodge is liable to charges when it persistently 
and systematically rejects candidates conceded by all to be 
in every way desirable and unobjectionable. — 1891, pp. 
88,254/ 

861. A brother desirous of changing his name on the 

books of his Lodge can only do so by authority of the 
Grand Lodge.— 1885, p. 570. 

2. EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES. 

862. Kind of evidence. — Rule 1. The evidence com- 
petent to be admitted before the Committee of Trial will 
be : 1. Parol evidence (i. e. testimony of living witnesses 
before the committee) ; 2. Depositions ; 3. Minutes of 
Lodge ; 4. Documentary evidence. Hearsay evidence can- 
not be received. The committee will determine the ad- 
missibility of evidence offered, subject to exception by 
either party; the exceptions so taken shall be noted by the 
committee upon its minutes. 

Witnesses, how obligated. — Rule 2. Members of the Order 
shall qualify under their obligations as Odd Fellows, ac- 
cording to Form 13 ; witnesses not members shall be 
qualified by some civil officer authorized to administer 
oaths. 

Absent Witnesses. — Rule 3. Depositions of absent wit- 
nesses shall be procured in the manner prescribed by the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the I. 0. O. F. 

Hoiv procured. — Rule 4. The attendance of a person as a 
witness who is not a member of the Order must be pro- 
cured by the party desiring him. — Sec. 3, Code Procedure. 

863. How summoned. — Rule 2. When the accuser or 
accused shall notify the chairman of the Committee of 
Trial, in writing, that he requires the presence of a mem- 



170 TRIALS. REFORT AND ACTION THEREON. 

ber of the Order as a witness, the chairman shall indorse 
such notice, stating the time and place of meeting, and 
transmit it to the Noble Grand of the Lodge of which such 
witness is a member, who shall immediately cause the 
member, or members, named to be summoned to attend as 
a witness, according to Form 10. — Sec. 2, Code Procedure. 

864. When a Noble Grand is under charges the Vice 
Grand must direct the issue of summonses. — It is the duty 
of the Vice Grand when a Noble Grand is under charges to 
direct the Recording Secretary of a Lodge to issue sum- 
monses for the attendance of witnesses when asked for by 
the committee appointed to try the same. — 1874, p. 164. 

865. Witness. — A wife cannot appear as a witness 
against her husband.— 1869, pp. 342, 403, 406. 

866. A brother can testify in his own behalf. — On a 
trial of charges against a brother he is a competent witness 
in his own favor.— 1870, p. 536 ; 1873, pp. 475, 477. 

867. Hearsay evidence. — A Committee on Charges re- 
ported the charges not sustained by the evidence. After 
the report was received the Lodge, by a vote, allowed the 
prosecutor to give evidence of what a brother would testify 
to who was absent. This action was held to be irregular 
and without precedent, and the brother reinstated. — 1871, 
p. 105 ; 1883, p. 103. 

868. Time to appeal. — Upon the report of the Commit- 
tee on Charges being made, notice thereof shall forthwith 
be given by the Secretary to both parties, and if no appeal 
be taken, in writing, within two weeks thereafter, it shall be 
final. — Sec. 2, Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 

3. REPORT OP COMMITTEE AND ACTION OF LODGE 

THEREON. 

869. Form of report. — Rule 7. The report of the com- 
mittee shall state the finding on each specification and on 
the charge, according to Form 6; shall be accompanied by 
an accurate record of their proceedings, rulings, and de- 
cisions, together with the original evidence taken during 
the trial, which shall be submitted to the Lodge within a 



TRIALS. — REPORT AND ACTION THEREON. 171 

reasonable time after the case has been submitted to them. 
Should there be a minority report it shall be drawn and 
presented in a similar manner. — Sec. 1, Code Procedure. 

870. To be entered on the minutes. — Rule 8. The re- 
port of the committee shall be received and entered in full 
on the minutes without discussion, and the Secretary shall 
immediately thereafter notify the accused and the accuser 
thereof, by transmitting to them or their counsel a certified 
copy of such report or reports, personally if they can be 
found ; if not, by leaving them at their respective place or 
places of residence. Either party may appeal to the 
Lodge from any or all of the rulings and decisions of the 
committee, according to Form 7, within two weeks after 
the service of the aforesaid copies of the report. 

Action on Appeal. — Rule 9. At the regular meeting of 
the Lodge two weeks after the notice of appeal shall have 
been read in open Lodge, the appeal shall be taken up ; the 
findings, rulings, and decisions of the committee appealed 
from read and considered separately, and all testimony, if 
any, bearing thereon. And the Lodge shall, by vote taken 
separately on each point so appealed from, affirm or reverse 
the finding, ruling, or decision of the committee (and shall 
thereafter vote upon the finding of the committee on the 
general charge). 

Notice of Final Action. — Rule 10. The Lodge shall then 
proceed according to Section 3, Article viii. of the Consti- 
tution of Subordinates. When the Lodge shall have taken 
final action as aforesaid, the Secretary shall at once give 
notice thereof, under seal, to the party against whom the 
decision is rendered, by delivering it to him personally or 
by leaving it at his place of residence, from which decision 
he may appeal to the District Grand Committee within 
twenty days after the service of said notice, by filing with 
the Secretary a written notice and the grounds thereof, 
substantially according to Form 8, and also by serving a 
notice of said appeal upon the D. D. G. M. of the District, 
substantially according to Form 9. — Sec. 1, Code Procedure. • 

871. How to proceed. — Sec. 3. If the committee decide 
that the charges are sustained, and no appeal be taken 
therefrom ; or if the Lodge shall, on appeal, decide that the 
charges are sustained, it shall proceed to affix a penalty for 
the offence. If a specific penalty be provided in the Con- 
stitution or By-laws the Noble Grand shall enforce it. If 



172 TRIALS. REPORT AND ACTION THEREON. 



none be so provided the Lodge shall decide, by ballot, 
"whether the penalty shall be expulsion, suspension, or 
reprimand. During the ballot the accused brother shall 
withdraw from the Lodge room. If upon the ballot it shall 
appear that two-thirds of the ballots are cast for expulsion, 
such shall be the penalty. If two-thirds of the ballots are 
not cast for expulsion, but the number of ballots, if any, 
which are cast for expulsion, together with those which are 
€ast for suspension, amount to two-thirds of the ballots 
cast, then suspension shall be the penalty, and the Lodge 
shall proceed to fix the duration of such suspension. If 
neither expulsion nor suspension is determined as the 
penalty, as above provided, then the penalty shall be rep- 
rimand, and the accused brother shall be reprimanded in 
open Lodge by the Acting Noble Grand. No ballot held 
under this Section shall be reconsidered. Art. viii., Const. 
Sub. L. 

872. Refuses to stand trial. — Sec. 4. If the accused re- 
fuse or neglect to stand trial when duly summoned, the 
committee shall report him guilty of contempt of the 
Lodge, which report shall be conclusive, and the punish- 
ment shall be expulsion. In case of non-residence of the 
accused he may be represented by his counsel and tried 
as though present, if he so elect. — Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 

873. Reprimand. — Sec. 5. When a member shall be sub- 
ject to the penalty of reprimand he shall be summoned to 
attend at some regular meeting, to be fixed by the Noble 
Grand, to be reprimanded from the Noble Grand's chair, 
and until he so attend and be reprimanded he shall be 
suspended from benefits and privileges of membership. — 
Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 



874. Notice of expulsion. — Sec. 6. Notice of the expul- 
sion or suspension of a member shall, after the expiration 
of twenty days from the date thereof, be given to the 
Lodges of this county and the Encampments of this and 
the adjoining counties ; if the member be a Past Grand, 
notice shall be given to the Grand Committee of the Dis- 
trict and to the Grand Lodge. Provided, if a member so 
expelled or suspended has filed, according to law, an appeal 
against the action of his Lodge, such notice shall not be 
given until the Grand Committee of the District or the 



TRIALS. REPORT AND ACTION THEREON. 173 

Grand Lodge of the State shall have sustained the action 
of the Lodge in expelling or suspending such member. — 
Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 

875. When suspension takes effect. — Under Section 5, 
Article viii. of Constitution of Subordinates, it takes effect 
at and from the time the member fails to attend the Lodge 
to be reprimanded when summoned for that purpose. — 
1874, p. 180. 

876. Lodge must act on report of committee. — Where 
the committee reports the charges sustained and the Lodge 
accepts the report, no appeal being taken on the report of 
the committee, the Lodge must proceed to fix the penalty 
and inflict the same, as provided in Section 3, Article viii. 
of Constitution of Subordinates. The Lodge has not the 
right by a majority vote to dismiss the case. — 1868, pp. 
221, 273. 

877. Report must lie over two weeks. — A member was 
tried and found guilty; the committee reported to the 
Lodge recommending a penalty of three months' sus- 
pension, which penalty the Lodge at once proceeded to 
affix. Held illegal. By the Constitution of Subordinates the 
accused is entitled, to notification and a lapse of two weeks 
before action can be taken on the report of the committee. 
—1869, pp. 340, 402, 405. 

878. After plea of guilty the case must lie over two 
weeks ; the Lodge cannot proceed and sentence the brother 
the same evening the report of the committee is received. 
—1874, p. 169. 

879. Report for contempt must lie over two weeks. — 
When a Committee on Charges report the accused guilty 
of contempt of the Lodge, the report cannot be acted upon 
immediately, but must lie over two weeks before the Lodge 
can act on the same.— 1873, pp. 392, 468, 471. 

880. Service of report. — When a mistake is made in 
serving an incorrect copy of the report of the committee, 
the error may be remedied by afterwards serving the ac- 
cused with a corrected copy of the report. — 1873, pp. 394, 
468, 471. 



174 TRIALS. APPEALS. 



881. Severe penalty. — A Subordinate Lodge has the ex- 
clusive jurisdiction to fix the penalty against an accused 
member found guilty. — 1869, p. 471 ; 1871, p. 105 ; 1873, pp. 
475, 477. 

882. Trial of Grand Officers.— Any Grand Officer may 
be removed from his office for conduct unworthy of his 
standing in the Order or for inattention to the duties of his 
office ; but he shall be entitled to a fair trial, and two- 
thirds of the individual votes of the Representatives present 
are necessary for removal. — Sec. 5, Art. iii., Const. G. L. 

883. Grand Master under charges. — A Past Grand 
Master shall preside while any question arising therefrom 
shall be under consideration. — Sec. 6, Art. iii., Const. G. L. 

4. APPEALS. 

884. To District Grand Committees. — How taken. — 
Sec. 1. In all cases when a member has been fined, repri- 
manded, suspended, or expelled by his Lodge, of which he 
shall be notified as provided by the Code, he may appeal 
to the District Grand Committee of his District, by filing 
with the Secretary of the Lodge within twenty days there- 
after a notice of his appeal, with the grounds thereof 
plainly stated. The Lodge shall, without delay, send under 
its seal to the District Grand Committee such notice of 
appeal, together with certified copies of all minutes, 
charges, evidence, and all other books and papers in the 
possession or under the control of the Lodge relating to the 
subject-matter of the appeal, and thereupon such Grand 
Committee shall summon the parties before the committee, 
or such sub-committee as it may appoint, and hear the 
parties or their counsel, such counsel being members of the 
Order, and determine the matter of the appeal as herein- 
after provided. 

Sec. 2. When a member of a Lodge has been deprived 
of some right, honor, privilege, or benefit by his Lodge, he 
may appeal in the manner before stated, and the same 
proceedings shall thereupon be had as provided in the first 
Section hereof. — Art. ix., By-laws G. L. 

885. Within twenty days. — Sec. 7. Any member in- 
tending to appeal from the action of the Lodge shall, within 
twenty days thereafter, file with the Secretary a notice of 



TRIALS. APPEALS. 175 



his appeal and of the grounds thereof, upon which the 
Secretary shall forthwith send the notice, together with a 
certified copy of all charges, reports, evidence, and pro- 
ceedings of the Lodge relating to the case, to the Grand 
Committee of the District. — Art. viii., Const. Sub. L. 

886. Notice must be served in time. — An appeal will 
not be heard unless the notice of appeal be served within 
the time prescribed by Section 7, Article viii., Constitution 
of Subordinates.— 1869, p. 386. 

887. Within twenty days. — In case of the refusal of a 
Lodge to pay sick benefits, the brother aggrieved must ap- 
peal within twenty days after notice of the action of the 
Lodge to the brother that the Lodge has refused to pay 
him benefits.— 1873, pp. 395, 468, 471. 

888. Notice must be served upon the Lodge, as re- 
quired by Section 7, Article viii. of Constitution of Sub- 
ordinates, so that the Lodge may make a return of its pro- 
ceedings in the case to the District Grand Committee. 
Unless this is done the appeal cannot be sustained. The 
notice should also specify from what particular action of 
the Lodge the appeal is taken. — 1867, p. 127. 

889. Complainant cannot appeal. — A brother who pre- 
fer^ charges against a member which are not sustained by 
the committee, and whose report is confirmed by the Lodge, 
cannot appeal to the District Grand Committee. — 1868, pp. 
221, 272, 273. 

890. Who can appeal. — When a member claims to be 
wrongfully suspended for non-payment of dues he is the 
only one directly interested, and is the only one entitled to 
appeal ; no other member of the Lodge can appeal from 
such action.— 1871, pp. 25, 99, 100. 

891. Appeal in respect to benefits. — Before an appeal 
can be taken from a Lodge in respect to benefits it must 
appear that the Lodge by some action has deprived the 
brother of benefits. This may be done by passing a reso- 
lution refusing to pay benefits, or by refusing to pass a 
resolution to pay benefits. In either case an appeal lies 
from such action. — 1867, pp. 127, 128. 



176 TRIALS. APPEALS. 



892. The exclusive jurisdiction in cases of appeal from 
the action of a Lodge in expelling a brother on charges be- 
longs in the first instance to the District Grand Committee^ 
and afterwards to the Grand Lodge ; and that jurisdiction 
should not be interfered with by any Grand Officer. — 1867, 
p. 129. 

893. Not directly to the Grand Lodge. — An appeal 
cannot be taken from the action of a Lodge in reference to 
benefits directly to the Grand Lodge ; it must first go to 
the District Grand Committee of the District. — 1868, p. 271. 

894. Returns by Lodge. — Rule 1. The Lodge shall, 
within twenty days after the reception of notice of appeal, 
through its Secretary, deliver to the D. D. G. M.> under seal, 
a certified copy of the minutes of the Committee of Trial, 
and also of the minutes of the Lodge relating to the subject- 
matter of the appeal, according to Form 11. — Sec. 4, Code 
Procedure. 

895. Must be under seal. — An appeal will not be heard 
unless the return be verified by the seal of the Lodge. — 
1868, p. 271. 

896. Translation into English. — All the papers on ap- 
peal to the District Grand Committee from a Lodge work- 
ing in the G-erman language, and whose Constitution is 
printed in that language, should be translated into English. 
—1873, pp. 416, 449. 

897. Failure to make returns. — Rule 2. Should the 
Lodge fail'to make the required return, the D. D. G. M. shall 
notify the Lodge of such failure, and direct the return to 
be made within ten days from the receipt of said notice, 
according to Form 12 ; in default whereof he shall report 
the Lodge to the Grand Master as insubordinate. 

When to be heard. — Rule 3. The D. D. GL M. shall present 
the appeal to the next regular meeting of the Grand Com- 
mittee. Should he receive it sixty days prior to the annual 
session of the Grand Lodge, he shall call a special meeting 
of the Grand Committee, provided no regular session is to 
intervene, to hear and decide the appeal, of which meeting 
the appellant and respondent shall have at least twenty 
days' notice. — Sec. 4, Code Procedure. 



TRIALS. APPEALS. 177 



898. Rules of evidence. — Rule 4. The rules herein, as 
to witnesses, evidence, proceedings, etc., upon appeals and 
trials before the Grand Committee, so far as the same are 
applicable, shall be followed by the Grand Committee. 

Notice of decision. — When an appeal shall be decided the 
Secretary of the Grand Committee shall, within ten days, 
notify the Lodge and the appellant, which decision shall be 
final, unless a further appeal shall be taken to the Grand 
Lodge of the State, pursuant to Section 5, Article ix. of the 
By-laws of that body. — Sec. 4, Code Procedure. 

899. Irregularity or informality. — Sec. 3. In the cases 
provided in the first Section hereof, whenever it shall ap- 
pear that there has been irregularity or informality in the 
form of the charges and specifications, or in the manner of 
preferring them, or in the manner of appointing the Com- 
mittee of Trial, or in the appointment of members thereof, 
or in the proceedings of such committee or of the Lodge, it 
shall be the duty of the Grand Committee to set aside such 
irregularity and informality and all subsequent proceed- 
ings, and remit the cause back to the Lodge for further 
proceedings ; and whenever it shall appear that the charges, 
if sustained, are not such as the Lodge, by its Constitution 
or By-laws or by the rules and regulations of the Order, 
can take cognizance of, or that the accused has been legally 
acquitted of the charges, or that the evidence given was not 
sufficient to prove the charges, it shall be the duty of the 
Grand Committee to reverse the proceedings of the Lodge, 
and the appellant shall thereupon be reinstated into all the 
rights and privileges which he had at the time the charges 
were preferred, and no further proceedings of the subject- 
matter of the charges shall be taken against him; and 

♦whenever it shall appear that incompetent evidence has 
been introduced or competent evidence excluded by the 
Committee of Trial, or the appellant had not a fair oppor- 
tunity or sufficient time given him to appear and defend 
himself and produce his evidence, the proceedings of the 
Lodge shall be reversed, and the cause referred back for a 
new trial. But no new evidence, except to prove irregu- 
larity, informality, or unfairness, shall be received by or 
on behalf of the Grand Committee, nor shall a Lodge in 
any case introduce evidence to contradict its own minutes. 
— Art. ix., By-laws G. L. 

900. May receive evidence. — Sec. 4. In the cases pro- 
vided in the second Section hereof the Grand Committee 

12 



178 TRIALS. APPEALS. 



may receive such evidence and make such determination 
in reference to such appeals as shall be just. — Art. ix., By- 
laws G. L. 

901. May reverse for want of evidence. — On an appeal 
to the District Grand Committee, the committee may re- 
verse a conviction on the ground that the evidence adduced 
does not warrant the conviction and expulsion of the mem- 
ber; but the Grand Lodge has no right to interfere merely 
for the reason that the penalty was too severe for the 
offence, if one was committed. — 1873, pp. 475, 477. 

902. Past Grands interested cannot act. — In case of 
an appeal before a District Grand Committee, Section 7, 
Article v., By-laws of Grand Lodge, excludes all Past 
Grands belonging to the Lodge from which the appeal 
emanates, except that any Past Grand of the Lodge wherein 
the appeal originated may act as counsel for the Lodge 
which is a party to the appeal, if duly authorized; but he 
has no vote in the matter, nor can he discuss the case before 
the District Grand Committee after the parties and their 
counsel have submitted the matter to the committee for 
their decision. He can only act as counsel and not as a 
Past Grand or member of the committee — but for the party 
to the appeal. None of the Past Grands of the Lodge, in 
case of an appeal from the action of their Lodge, or in 
which their Lodge is interested, shall have the right to 
speak or vote upon the appeal, or upon any question or 
points of order, or motions therein, before the District 
Grand Committee after the case is submitted to the com- 
mittee for their decision. All questions decided by the 
D. D. G. M. while presiding are appealable to the com- 
mittee, and he is bound to put all appeals from his decisions, 
same as the Grand Master. — 1871, pp. 23, 99, 100. 

903. Committee must decide, though no appearance. — 

When a return is made to a District Grand Committee it 
must act in the case and decide it, though the appellant 
does not appear before them ; they cannot dismiss the ap- 
peal for contempt in not appearing, as there is no such 
thing as contempt of a Grand Committee. — 1874, p. 167. 

904. Counsel for Lodge. — Where an expelled member 
appeals to the Grand Committee from the decision of the 



TRIALS. APPEALS. 179 



Lodge, a member of the Lodge has the right to appear 
before the committee, as counsel for the Lodge, without 
showing his credentials, unless objected to ; if objected to, 
he must show his authority by action of the Lodge under 
seal, without which he could be denied the right to appear. 
—1871, pp. 22, 99, 100. 

905. If error presumptively appears in the papers, and 
a full return is not made, the Grand Lodge will send the, 
case back for a further return to the District Grand Com- 
mittee.— 1871, pp. 166, 167. 

906. Instructions to District Grand Committee. — The 
committee were instructed to examine and decide who 
were entitled to funeral benefits, as it did not appear from 
the papers that they had examined that question. — 1874, 
p. 168. 

907. Abusive or irrelevant matter in appeal papers. — 
A District Grand Committee has no right to return an ap- 
peal to the brother appealing because the appeal contains 
abusive, scandalous, or irrelevant matter. — 1879, p. 638. 

908. Who cannot appeal. — A brother not being the 
party in interest or aggrieved cannot take an appeal. — 1879, 
pp. 638, 639. 

909. A brother under indictment for crime. — A Lodge 
has no right to try a brother on charges for offence against 
the laws of the State while his trial is pending in the State 
courts and for the same offence. — 1879, pp. 558, 600. 

910. No contempt. — A brother who appears before the 
Trial Committee, and pleads thereto, either in person or by 
counsel, cannot be reported as guilty of contempt should 
he fail or refuse to appear again before the committee; 
but the committee should proceed to hear and determine 
the charges as though the accused or his counsel were 
present. — 1876, pp. 571, 659. 

911. Who cannot serve on Trial Committee. — A brother 
not a member of the Lodge to which the accused brother 
belongs, and before which the charges are pending, cannot 
serve on a Committee of Trial. — 1876, pp. 569, 659. 



180 TRIALS. APPEALS. 

912. Trial of a Past Grand. — In case there are not Past 
Grands, members of the Lodge of the accused, to form the 
Committee of Trial, the Noble Grand should fill up the 
committee with members of the Third Degree. — 1876, pp. 
570,659. 

913. Committee on Charges. — The Trustees of a Lodge 
are competent to act on the committee for the trial of a 
brother under charges. — 1876, pp. 567, 659. . 

914. Charges. — A brother under charges in his Lodge 
has the right to prefer charges against another brother. — 
1877, pp. 13, 157. 

915. A Lodge while considering an appeal from Trial 
Committee on charges against a member has the right to 
adjourn the same until the next regular meeting, if the cir- 
cumstances would seem to require it. — 1883, p. 109. 

916. Where papers on appeal have been received and 

referred to the Appeal Committee of the District Grand 
Committee, and have been lost, the appeal does not lapse, 
but copies thereof or new papers may be substituted in the 
place of the lost papers. If copies cannot be obtained the 
making and filing of new papers do not constitute a new 
appeal.— 1891, pp. 83, 254. 

917. In case of charges or appeal either party or their 
counsel has a right to inspect and make copies of the 
papers in the case, in whole or in part, but it must be done 
in the presence of and at hours convenient to the custodian. 
—1891, pp. 83, 254. 

918. The twenty-day limit of time for appeal does not 
begin to run until notice to the member interested of the 
action from which appeal is taken. — 1891, pp. 83, 255, 257. 

919. Where an appeal has been made to a District 
Grand Committee whose By-laws provide for a Committee 
on Appeals, it is the duty of the D. D. G. M. to at once notify 
and call the sub-committee together for the consideration 
of the appeal, without waiting for a meeting of the District 
Grand Committee to refer the appeal to the sub-committee. 
—1891, pp. 83, 254. 



TRIALS. — APPEALS TO GRAND LODGE. 181 

920. All appeal papers are and must remain in the 
official custody of the D. D. G. M., who should have them 
with him at the meeting of the Committee on Appeals of 
the District Grand Committee. — 1891, pp. 83, 254. 

921. Counsel in appeal cases before District ' Grand 
Committees or their sub-committees must not necessarily 
be Past Grands ; if they are members of the Order in good 
standing it is all that is necessary. — 1891, pp. 83, 254. 

5. APPEALS TO GRAND LODGE. 

922. When decision reversed. — Rule 5. When an 
appeal is taken from the action or decision of any District 
Grand Committee, and all the papers and records of said 
committee, or in its possession, bearing upon said appeal, 
are not forwarded to this Grand Lodge within thirty days 
from service of the notice of appeal, the action or decision 
of said committee shall be reversed by default, if adverse 
to the Lodge or the brother taking the appeal ; unless a 
satisfactory excuse, under seal of the committee and signed 
by the District Deputy and Secretary, shall, within the time 
required for filing the return, be filed with the Grand Sec- 
retary. In the interim of the session of the Grand Lodge 
the Standing Committee shall be the judge of the suf- 
ficiency of such excuse. 

Rule 6. When an appeal is taken from the action or de- 
cision of any Lodge, and all the papers and records of said 
Lodge, or in its possession, bearing upon said appeal, are 
not forwarded to the Grand Committee or District Deputy 
as required by law and the Code of Procedure, and notice 
thereof, either by the Secretary of the District Grand Com- 
mittee, the District Deputy, or the appellant, shall be given 
to the Grand Secretary, the action or decision of said 
Lodge shall be reversed by default, if adverse to the appel- 
lant ; and the Grand Secretary shall notify such Lodge of 
the reversal, unless a satisfactory excuse, under seal of the 
Lodge and signed by the Secretary and Noble Grand, shall, 
within the time required for filing the return, be filed with 
the Grand Secretary. In the interim of the sessions of the 
Grand Lodge the Standing Committee shall be the judge 
of the sufficiency of such excuse. — Sec. 4, Code Procedure. 

923. Applies to Rebekah Lodges. — Rule 1. The pro- 
visions of this Code of Procedure shall apply to Rebekah 



182 ' TRIALS. APPEALS TO GRAND LODGE. 

Lodges, save that appeal from a Rebekah Lodge shall be 
taken to the Grand Master, and from his decision to the 
Grand Lodge. — Sec. 5, Code Procedure. 

924. How and in what time. — Sec. 5. Any Lodge or 
member, party to any appeal before a District Grand Com- 
mittee, feeling aggrieved at the decision thereof, may ap- 
peal therefrom to this Grand Lodge ; but such appeal shall 
be confined exclusively to matters of law or of irregularity 
or unfairness in the proceedings of the Grand Committee. 
Such appeal shall be made by filing with the D. D. G. M. of 
the District, within twenty days after notice of the decision 
of the District Grand Committee, a notice of the appeal 
and the ground thereof, and thereupon the notice of appeal, 
together with a copy of the return of the Subordinate 
Lodge and the proceedings of the Grand Committee and 
the decision thereof, shall be forthwith certified by the 
D. D. G. M. and Secretary of the Grand Committee, under 
seal, and sent, with the appeal, to the Grand Lodge. Upon 
such case being received by the Grand Secretary he shall 
forthwith refer the same to the Committee on Appeals, 
who shall, if practicable, report thereon at the first session 
of the Grand Lodge which shall be held thereafter. — Art. 
ix., By-laws G. L. 

925. Must be in time. — An appeal will not be heard un- 
less the notice of appeal be filed within the time prescribed 
in Section 5, Article ix., By-laws of the Grand Lodge! — 
1867, p. 130 ; 1869, p. 390. 

926. Case and points to be stated or appeal dismissed. 
— All appeals to this Grand Lodge shall be prefaced with a 
brief and correct statement of the case, together with the 
points of law on which the appellant relies to sustain his 
appeal.— 1869, p. 411 ; 1871, p. 104. 

927. Only from a final decision. — An appeal cannot be 
taken from the action of a District Grand Committee upon 
a preliminary question, such as whether an appeal from 
the Lodge was taken in time. There should be one appeal 
in a case, and not several appeals from distinct parts of a 
case, before a final result is arrived at. When a case is 
finally decided an appeal can be taken, and all questions of 
law, irregularity or unfairness in the proceedings of the 
Grand Committee can be noticed. — 1867, p. 129. 



TRIALS. APPEALS TO GRAND LODGE. 183 

928. Affidavits or Certificates bearing on the merits of 
the case will not be considered, unless they were used be- 
fore the Lodge which tried the case or the Grand Com- 
mittee which heard the appeal. — 1867, p. 130. 

929. Appeal does not stay proceedings. — When an ap- 
peal has been taken from the decision of a District Grand 
Committee directing the reinstatement of an expelled mem- 
ber, the Lodge must obey the mandate of the committee 
and reinstate the brother at once, and it cannot wait for a 
decision on the appeal to the Grand Lodge. The decision 
of the committee is final until reversed. — 1871, pp. 25, 
99, 100. 

930. The notice must specify errors. — The notice of 
appeal from the decision of the D. D. G. M. to the Grand 
Master was as follows : " The undersigned hereby appeals 
from the decision of the D. D. G. M. to the Grand Master, on 
the ground that such decision is not in conformity with the 
law as decided by the Grand Lodge of this State." This 
notice is insufficient and informal. It does not state any 
facts or grounds of appeal ; it does not specify any irregu- 
larity or identify any case, or point out any illegal action 
of the Lodge or adjudication of the D. D. G. M. appealed 
from in this case, and upon this ground alone the appeal 
should be dismissed. — 1871, pp. 31, 107. 

931. Papers must show error affirmatively. — When an 
appeal is taken to the District Grand Committee which in- 
vestigates the case on the merits, the Grand Lodge, on 
appeal to it, will not reverse the decision of the committee, 
unless illegality, informality, or want of fairness is shown 
affirmatively upon the papers themselves. — 1874, p. lb'6. 

932. The Grand Master will not entertain an appeal 
from the decision of a D. D. G. M. on a question propounded 
to him by a Subordinate Lodge, in reference to the right 
of a Degree Lodge to appropriate its funds to purchase a 
testimonial for any of its officers, as the Subordinate Lodge 
has no right to direct or control the Degree Lodge in the 
matter.— 1873, p. 392, 468, 471. 

933. Case reversed on petition ; contempt ; return. — 
On due notice a brother appeared before the Committee on 
Charges and asked for an adjournment. Upon his request 



184 TRIALS. — APPEALS TO GRAND LODGE. 

being refused he left the room, and the committee reported 
him guilty of contempt, and presented their report at the 
first Lodge meeting thereafter. The report was laid on the 
table for three weeks, at the expiration of which time the 
Lodge voted to expel the accused. At the next meeting 
the accused appealed to the Lodge, which "refused to 
entertain the appeal on the ground that three weeks had 
expired since the report of the committee, and not, as should 
have been the case, since the action of the Lodge." The 
District Grand Committee refused the accused a hearing, 
because the Secretary of the Lodge had neglected to furnish 
the Grand Committee with a copy of the proceedings in 
the case. On petition to the Grand Lodge the action of 
the Subordinate was reversed, and it was required to re- 
store the brother to membership. — 1871, p. 116. 

934. New trial. — A member of a Lodge, upon charges 
duly preferred and referred to a committee, has been tried, 
found guilty, and expelled, and appeals from the action of 
the Lodge to the District Grand Committee for a new trial, 
on the ground of newly-discovered evidence, or which he 
did not have a fair opportunity to present, and the Grand 
Committee grants a new trial. The Grand Committee, by 
the act of granting a new trial, virtually set aside all the 
proceedings of the Lodge on the former trial subsequent 
to the appointment of the Committee on Charges, and the 
new trial should proceed the same as if no trial had been 
had. By granting a new trial to the accused his con- 
viction and sentence were both reversed. — 1871, pp, 22, 99. 

935. Contempt; mistrial. — A brother is a competent 
witness in his own favor on the trial of charges against 
him, and when he appears before the committee and pro- 
ceeds to trial, he is not guilty of contempt in withdrawing 
on the ground that the committee refused to receive his 
testimony. When there has been any irregularity on the 
trial of charges against a member, for which the District 
Grand Committee reverse the action of the Lodge in ex- 
pelling a member, it is not proper for the Grand Com- 
mittee to reinstate the member in his former position, for 
the reason that the charges remain yet to be disposed of. In 
such cases the action of the Lodge should be set aside and 
the cause remitted back for further proceedings on the 
charges.— 1870, p. 536 ; 1871, pp. 24, 99. 



VOTING. 185 



936. Acquittal. — A brother pleaded not guilty to the 
charges, but guilty to the specifications " with intent to 
justify." Evidence was given on the question of justifi- 
cation, but the committee reported against it and decided 
the charges sustained. The Lodge, on an appeal from the 
decision of the committee, sustained the appeal and decided 
that the charges were not sustained. The Grand Com- 
mittee affirmed the action of the Lodge. On appeal to 
it the Grand Lodge held that the action of the Lodge 
amounted to a legal acquitta] of the brother; that the 
members could not be compelled to vote against the ac- 
cused, and having elected to acquit him instead of agreeing 
with the report of the committee, and there being no matter 
of law appearing in the appeal, or of irregularity or unfair- 
ness in the proceedings of the Grand Committee, the action 
of the Lodge must be affirmed. — 1870, p. 537. 

937. Cannot be twice tried. — A complaint was made by 
a sister jurisdicton against a Lodge in this State, claiming 
that the Lodge had initiated a resident of that jurisdiction 
illegally. On investigation it appeared that charges had 
been preferred against the brother for false representations 
as to his residence, he claiming to be a resident of New 
York at the time of his admission. The brother was tried 
and found not guilty, and the decision was sustained on 
appeal. This ended the matter, as the question was one of 
fact alone, and the accuser had ample opportunity to sub- 
stantiate the charges. He failed in so doing. — 1873, pp. 



407,481; 1874, p. 168. 



VOTING. 



938. Past Grands of a Lodge interested cannot vote. — 

On an appeal pending in a District Grand Committee can- 
not be allowed to vote in such committee on motions which 
come before the committee relating to said appeal. — Sec. 7, 
Art. v., By-laws G. L.; 1869, p. 390; 1870, pp. 548, 549; 
1872, pp. 23, 99. 

939. A Two-third vote. — When the law requires the 
vote of " two-thirds of the members present " to reinstate 
a member, it means two-thirds of all the members in good 
standing present. Those not voting, or who may be ex- 
cused from voting, should be counted in the negative. — 
1870, pp. 495, 551, 552. 



186 VOTING. 



940. Legal ballot in degrees. — When a Lodge is work- 
ing in the degrees any nnmber of votes for the degrees con- 
stitute a legal ballot.— 1871, pp. 24, 99. 

941. In Grand Lodge. — No motion shall be subject to 
action until seconded, and stated by the Chair, and at the 
desire of any Representative shall be reduced to writing. 

When a blank is to be filled the question shall be taken 
first upon the highest sum or number and the longest or 
latest time proposed. 

Any Representative may call for the division of a ques- 
tion when the sense will admit it. 

When a question is before the Grand Lodge no motion 
shall be received, unless to adjourn, the previous question, 
to lay on the table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to 
a certain time, to refer, or to amend, and they shall have 
precedence in the order herein arranged — the first four of 
which shall be decided without debate. 

After any question, except one of indefinite postpone- 
ment, has been decided, any two Representatives who voted 
with the majority may, at any time during the session, 
move for a reconsideration thereof. 

The previous question can be called for by two Represen- 
tatives, if seconded by a majority, and shall be put in this 
form : " Shall the main question be now put f " and, if carried, 
shall preclude all further debate and amendments, and the 
vote shall be taken on the amendments pending in their 
regular order. 

When five of the Representatives rise in favor of taking 
a question by yeas and nays they shall be ordered and 
recorded. 

Every Representative present shall vote on any question 
before the Grand Lodge, unless he is personally interested 
in the result, or has been excused by the Grand Lodge, or 
is otherwise incapacitated. — Art. v., Rules of Order Gr. L. 

942. All Lodge members must vote, if qualified, on all 
questions, unless excused by the Lodge. — 1874, pp. 36, 
161, 210. 

943. In Rebekah Lodges. — Sec. 8. All elections shall be 
by ballot, and a majority of all the ballots cast shall be 
necessary to elect, except that votes cast for those not in 
nomination shall not be counted. — Art. ii., Const. Reb. L. 



VOTING. 187 



944. Noble Grand to vote. — It is the right of the Noble 
Grand of a Lodge to vote, in like manner as other members, 
on all ballots and on questions upon which the vote is 
taken by yeas and nays, except on an appeal from his de- 
cision or confirmation of a committee appointed by him. — 
1867, pp. 142, 152. 

945. The Code of Procedure is not open to objection 

that it is contrary to Section 2, Article vii., of the Grand 
Lodge Constitution, that there should be "one form of 
Constitution of Subordinates."— 189] , pp. 79, 254. 

946. Voting for officers in the Lodge. — It is not legal 
for a brother to send his ballot to his Lodge and have it 
deposited for him. — 1875, p. 310. 

947. Voting in Grand Lodge. — Sec. 1. Every Lodge 
shall be entitled to one vote where the number of members 
returned in its last annual report shall be less than forty ; 
two votes where the number shall be forty, and one vote 
for each additional forty members. Each Representative 
shall, in all cases of ballot and vote, except in the single 
case in this Section hereinafter provided for, be entitled to 
cast the number of votes to which the Lodge he represents 
is entitled. Each elective Grand Officer shall be entitled 
to one vote. All questions and votes before the Grand 
Lodge, not in this Constitution otherwise provided for, shall 
be determined by a majority of the votes given by the 
Representatives and elective Grand Officers present; and 
when five of the Representatives call for the vote by yeas 
and nays, or when the same are by this Constitution re- 
quired to be taken, they shall be so taken and recorded on 
the Journal. Provided, however, that all questions for the 
expulsion of a Representative shall be by the votes of the 
Representatives present. — Art. iv., Const. G. L. 

948. If on a question before the Lodge or at an elec- 
tion of Grand Officers a brother votes who is disqualified 
therefor by reason of not being in good standing, and no 
objection being made at the time, the result will not be 
invalidated thereby, and objection cannot be made later. 
If, however, objection were made at the time and disre- 
garded, or overruled, the reception of the illegal votes must 
subsequently be remedied.— 1891, p. 86 ; 1893, pp. 92, 143. 



188 WORK OF THE ORDER. 



949. While a Lodge is in session the Noble Grand has 
no right to direct the Warden or Outside Guardian to com- 
pel a member to either enter the Lodge room proper or else 
retire to the hallway or street.— 1893, pp. 40, 142. 

950. Members disqualified from voting in a Lodge, 

because not in good standing, voting, the result is not in- 
validated thereby. Objection must be taken at the time; 
-cannot be raised afterwards. — 1891, pp. 77, 254. 

951. Challenge of votes. — When the Noble Grand an- 
nounces the vote of the Lodge, if not challenged or ap- 
pealed from, his decision is final. — 1878, p. 345. 

952. A brother is not obliged to give his reasons when 
asking to be excused from voting. — 1892, pp. 475, 567. 



WORK OF THE ORDER. 

953. Exemplification of. — At each session hereafter the 
-exemplification of the unwritten work shall be the special 
order of business on the second day, immediately upon the 
reassembling after the noon recess. — 1874, p. 151. 

954. Instructions; rights and powers of officers in 
reference to. — No person, except an accredited Represen- 
tative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, can instruct his 
Grand Lodge in the actual work of the Order ; even such 
Representative has no right or power to give instructions 
to a Subordinate or to members of the Order during the 
recess of the Grand Lodge, although such instructions are 
in strict compliance with actual work of the Order, except 
in the official presence of a Grand Master or a D. D. G. M., 
or with the official consent of the Grand Master; and except, 
also, in degrees that simply confer privileges, but do not 
affect the brethren in possession of the work. A Grand 
Master and a D. D. G. M. (within his District) may inhibit, 
interfere with, and prevent an accredited Representative 
giving or imparting instructions in the secret work of the 
Order, even when such instructions are in accordance with 
the official instructions imparted in a legal manner. No 
Grand Master can instruct, nor permit any one else to 
instruct, any Lodge or D. D. G. M. in the secret work, not 



WORK OF THE ORDER. 189 

strictly in accordance with the instructions officially re- 
ceived by him and his Grand Lodge from its accredited 
Grand Representative. A D. D. G. M. may invite and allow 
any member of the Order, though not a Grand Master or 
accredited Representative, to give instructions to a Sub- 
ordinate Lodge in his District, if the instructions so im- 
parted are the same as given officially to the Grand Lodge 
or Grand Master, and he will be held responsible that they 
are correct.— 1872, p. 306 ; 1874, p. 165. 

955. No person in a Lodge can give the unwritten work 
except the Noble Grand, Vice Grand, or a Past Grand. — 
1893, pp. 41, 142. 

956. Nothing can be added to or omitted from the 
work, as laid down in the Ritual, in initiation or the con- 
ferring of the degrees. — 1891, pp. 89, 254. 



INDEX 



Reference is made to the Sections. 

ADJOURNMENTS. Section 

A motion to adjourn a Lodge to another day or time is never in order. . 1 
A District Grand Committee has power to adjourn to a time certain. . . 2 

A Noble Grand has no right to declare a recess during Lodge hours 3 

A member entitled to the floor may make a motion to proceed to close. . 4 

AMENDMENTS. 

To Constitution of Grand Lodge. 

Must be made at annual session, in the manner prescribed in Constitu- 
tion 5 

Must be recommended at one session and not acted upon until the next 

session 5 

Changes to conform to decisions made by the Sovereign Grand Lodge 

may be ordered at any annual session 5 

Go into effect immediately, unless otherwise provided in the propo- 
sition 5 

Must be approved by Sovereign Grand Lodge 6 

To Constitution of Subordinates. 

But one form for the government of. 7 

A majority vote on adoption necessary 8 

Of Rebekah Lodges, may be amended at any time 9 

Of Degree Lodges, same as of Subordinates 10 

Must be proposed at one regular session and acted upon at next session. 11 

ANCIENT ODD FELLOW. 

One who has held a Withdrawal Card twelve months 12 

APPEALS. 

A Lodge can make an appropriation from its funds for a supper at cele- 
bration, but cannot assess for the same . 13 

A brother under charges, untried, is entitled to all the privileges of the 
Order, excepting to receive a Visiting or Withdrawal Card. He is 
eligible to office 14 

A Lodge may dispose of voluntary funds 15 

A brother who has accepted a nomination is eligible for election, though 

absent at election 16 

A brother who is in arrears, on paying up is entitled to a Visiting Card 

although sick at the time 17 

A Lodge has the right to appropriate from the Lodge funds for widows 

and orphans of soldiers who fell in wars of France and Germany . 18 

Officers installed by a Special Deputy are legally installed, and motion 

to re-install out of order 19 

A member who has been suspended for non-payment of dues may ap- 
ply at any meeting for reinstatement, notwithstanding he has been 
once rejected 20 

A Lodge is not the place to settle business matters between brothers, 

and charges predicated on such matters should be forbidden 21 

A brother cannot be expelled except on charges regularly preferred and 

trial had according to law , 22 



192 INDEX. 



APPEALS - Continued. Section 

A Lodge has the right to donate to a widow of a deceased brother who 

was not in good standing at death 23 

There is no such thing as contempt to a District Grand Committee .... 24 

A Lodge instituted the last month in the term, the officers must serve 

to the end of next term to entitle them to the honors of office 25 

It is the duty of the Secretary to give notice to all the Lodges in the 

District of the suspension of a member for non-payment of dues. . 26 

A candidate being balloted for and rejected, the ballot cannot be de- 
clared void 27 

A memb r notified to attend the funeral of a brother not in good stand- 
ing is liable for non-attendance 28 

A Noble Grand should communicate the Passwords of the degrees to a 

brother whom he knows has received them 29 

All members are to be paid alike for benefits 30 

A Lodge is liable to a sister Lodge which has taken charge, by request of 
the Lodge, of a sick member and has paid for watchers, and must 
refund the amount so paid 31 

A member who has been suspended for non-payment of dues, on rein- 
statement must receive a two- third vote of all voting, by ball ballot . 32 

A Kebekah Lodge has the right to pay from its funds for carriage hire 

in attending the funeral of a sister 33 

A Rebekah Lodge has no right to pay from its funds for supper or colla- 
tion for visiting sisters 34 

A brother having an expired Visiting Card must return the same or 

account for its loss before receiving a new Card 35 

Where there are two or more Lodges in a town, a resident of such town 

can apply to either of them for membership. . 36 

A Lodge has no right to use the funds to entertain guests or pay ex- 
penses for instruction in the Secret Work 37 

A Lodge is not allowed to vote its funds for entertainment of its guests. 38 

A Lodge cannot appeal to Grand Lodge while in contempt 39 

A brother holding a Withdrawal Card is under the jurisdiction of the 
Lodge granting the same until it is deposited in some other Lodge, 
and charges against such member must be made to the Lodge 
granting the Card 40 

A Lodge can be legally opened if the Bible is not in the Lodge room 41 

The election of a Noble Grand on the night of resignation of the Noble 

Grand then presiding, is illegal 42 

A District Grand Committee cannot amend the By-laws the same night 

they are offered; must lie over until the next regular meeting 43 

When a Lodge has paid the amount provided by its By-laws for funeral 
benefits, burial, medical attention, and other expenses, it has com- 
plied with the law 44 

The taking of a recess is illegal, but the taking of the same is not clos- 
ing of the Lodge 45 

A fine for non-attendance at a funeral cannot be remitted unless so pro- 
vided by the Lodge By-laws. 46 

A Lodge has no right to make By-laws fining the members of the Sick 

Committee who are not the officers of the Lodge 47 

A Trustee of a Lodge, if a Past Grand, is eligible for Representative ... 48 

The suspension of a Vice Grand, after trial, vacates the office. ......... 49 

A Lodge cannot make a By-law fining a member for not accepting an 

office in the Lodge 50 

In the absence of a D. D. G. M. from the District Grand Committee a 

Past Grand may preside and confer the degree. It is legal 51 

On an application for a Withdrawal Card the Lodge should act imme- 
diately ; if not, the application may be withdrawn 52 

A Lodge has the right to pay from its funds the expenses of a commit- 
tee appointed to attend the funeral of a member who lived miles 
away from the Lodge location 53 

The widow of a brother is entitled to funeral benefits, notwithstanding 

the brother was indebted to the Lodge as Treasurer of the Lodge . . 54 



INDEX. 193 



APPEALS — Continued. Section 

A brother who brings action against his Lodge for benefits, and is 

beaten in the Court, cannot be suspended for costs of the action. . . 55 

An officer must be absent from his Lodge thres nights immediately 

before action taken to declare the office vacant 56 

A vote on report of Trial Committee cannot be taken by the Lodge 

until two weeks after the report was made 57 

A District Grand Committee cannot refuse to receive an appeal because 

the same contains abusive language 58 

A candidate who has been declared elected to office, and no objection 
being made and he is qualified, the D. D. G. M. cannot declare the 
same void and order a new election 59 

An amendment to the By-laws of a Lodge, having laid over, as required, 
two weeks, cannot be postponed, but action must be taken at the 
third meeting 60 

Amendment to By-laws cannot be acted upon unless notice has been 

given to members as provided by the By-laws of the Lodge. . 61 

A Lodge has the right by a majority vote to require the Treasurer to 

surrender funds, etc 62 

A Lodge can fine its members for non-attendance at a funeral, but can- 
not charge such fines as dues. It can also fine its members for 
not attending a funeral outside of its county 63 

A member is obliged to pay such initiation fee as is provided by the By- 
laws at the time of his election 64 

Blank ballots count as part of the poll, unless otherwise provided in the 

Lodge By-laws 65 

The resignation of a member cannot take effect until accepted by the 

Lodge, and may be withdrawn before action thereon 65a 

A majority vote of all present is required to nominate a candidate for 

Grand Officer 66 

A brother is not a Scarlet Degree member until he has had the same 

conferred on him 67 

A brother who has applied for the Scarlet Degree, and is taken sick be- 
fore he receives it, is only entitled to the benefits of an Initiatory 
member 67a 

Election for Proxy Kepresentative may be held without previous 

nomination 68 

An officer of a Lodge cannot be expelled for mere neglect of duty 69 

The Noble Grand must order the Warden to examine all persons in the 

anteroom previous to opening. 70 

An affidavit of a witness cannot be received when he is present before 

the Trial Committee 71 

A Lodge may in its By-laws provide against paying benefits for a frac- 
tional part of a week 72 

A vote taken on Sunday on the expulsion of a brother is illegal 73 

A suspended member for non-payment of dues, on his reinstatement is 

not obliged to sign the application required of new members 74 

A Lodge bas the ri ^ht to pay from its funds for services of an instructor 

of teams for team work 75 

A Past Grand of the Lodge has the right to install its officers in the 

absence of the D. D. G. M. or other qualified officer 76 

A brother cannot be tried on the same charges pending his appeal to 

the Grand Lodge 77 

A Lodge may, in case of necessity, employ and pay counsel on the trial 

of a brother 78 

A brother who commences action against his Lodge in the courts is 

liable to charges of conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow 79 

It is the duty of the Inside Guardian to announce the name of the 

brother who desires admittance before the brother can be admitted. 80 

A brother cannot be suspended for non-payment of dues unless he has 

been notified of contemplated action, as required by the Constitution. 81 

Where the By-laws of a Lodge provide, "for any offence against the 
laws of the land the brother shall be expelled," and the brother is 

13 



194 INDEX. 



APPEALS— Continued. Section 
found guilty, the Noble Grand must enforce the penalty. The 
Lodge cannot vote thereon 82 

A Noble Grand has no right to loan to aDy person a copy of the Ritual 

or allow it to go out of his possession 83 

An officer being absent for three successive meetings, his seat may be 
declared vacant, but is entitled to notice of contemplated action 
and given an opportunity to excuse his absence 84 

In case of expulsion investigation may be had as to legality, etc 85 

In case of application for sick benefits the burden of proof is with the 

brother applying for the same 86 

A Lodge lias the right to refuse a Card of Withdrawal and refunding of 

dues paid. 87 

A Rebekah Lodge has the right to refuse benefits where the facts show 

no right to them 88 

In a Rebekah Lodge the Noble Grand ordered a new ballot on admission 
of candidate, there being irregularity in the vote. Held proper 
under the statement of facts 89 

A Lodge cannot apply any part of the funeral benefits to pay the debts 
of the deceased, neither can they take possession of the goods of the 
deceased 90 

A Permanent Secretary is bound to account for all moneys received by 
him, as reported by him ; nor c in a brother be installed who is in 
arrears by tendering his dues at the time of installation 91 

A Lodge cannot appoint a committee to investigate character after the 

brother has received the First Degree 92 

A Lodge is in duty bound to refund to a sister Lodge money paid for 

benefits to a member at its request 93 

A Lodge is governed by its By-laws in reference to the payment of 

benefits , 94 

A Noble Grand, on discovering that a brother who had deposited his 
Card in the Lodge had been illegally admitted, declared the action 
null and void. Held to be legal under the circumstances stated ... 95 

A Lodge has the right to refuse benefits when the proofs fail to show 

the brother was entitled to them 96 

On an appeal to the Grand Lodge the Appeal Committee reported the 
decision appealed from should stand and the case be referred back 
for further testimony. Held proper and right 97 

The Committee of Appeals in the Grand Lodge have the right to return 

the papers for more evidence .... 98 

A District Grand Committee, on appeal to them, having found the 

brother entitled to additional benefits, held binding 99 

On appeal, the appellant having failed to show error, decision sustained. 100 

A Grand Master has no right to preside at a meeting of a District Grand 

Committee, he not being a member of the District 101 

No regalia, emblem, or other Odd Fellows' badge can be worn on par- 
ades, etc., without the consent of the Grand Master 102 

A Lodge can suspend a brother for a definite time for using improper 
and insulting language in open Lodge, after trial on charges prop- 
erly preferred 103 

Where a brother receives from his Lodge a stipulated sum of money in 

lieu of benefits he has no claim afterwards 104 

To permit a Lodge to elect a Third Degree member to the vacant chair 
of Noble Grand a dispensation from the Grand Master is necessary; 
it is void without 105 

A Lodge has no right to refuse a brother a Withdrawal Card when clear 

on the books and free from charges 10 S 

A proposition for membership cannot be withdrawn after the committee 

have reported 107 

The failure of a brother to furnish certificate of a physician that he has 

recovered from his sickness is no forfeiture of rights to sick benefits . 108 

A member upon reinstatement who failed to again sign the Constitution 

does not forfeit sick benefits 109 



INDEX. 195 



APPEALS— Continued. Section 

Where the By-laws do not otherwise provide, a brother is not deprived 

of sick benefits when he refuses to pay linen standing against him. 110 

Where a Lodge has ordered a sister Lodge to furnish watchers for a sick 
member of the Lodge, and they are furnished, the Lodge must pay 
for them Ill 

A Lodge is not required to pay sick benefits unless from the evidence it 

finds the brother is entitled to them 112 

A Lodge has no right to refuse to receive a brother's dues because there 

are fines standing against him unpaid 113 

Where a Lodge is notified by a sister Lodge not to pay benefits to one 
of its members it is not obliged to refund moneys paid alter the no- 
tice is received 114 

To place a Lodge in contempt the laws on that subject must be closely 

followed .... . 115 

A reconsideration of a favorable ballot must be taken by ball ballots. . . 116 

Where a Secretary of a Lodge receives notice of hearing of an appeal 
before the District Grand Committee, and he fails to read the same 
iu open Lodge, the decision of the District Grand Committee will 
not be set aside on account of no notice 117 

Where an appeal has been decided by the Grand Lodge it is discretion- 
ary with the Grand Lodge to open the same 118 

A brother who is five months in arrears for dues dies ; his family is 

not entitled to funeral benefits 119 

A Noble Grand who wilfully conceals the true vote on the admission of 
a candidate, and declares him rejected when he was elected, is 
liable to charg s ; and if on trial he is found guilty the penalty of 
the Lodge will not be distur' ed 120 

A Lodge has no right to pay from its Lodge fund money to pay for a 

banquet 121 

A D. D. G. M. has no right to order a new election of Noble Grand be- 
cause the elected Noble Grand is not present for installation, he 
having accepted the office 122 

A Lodge has no right to appropriate from its funds money to pay the 
expenses of its Representative to G. L. in excess of the amount 
named in its By-laws and in conformity to the same. ... 123 

A D. D. G. M. has no right to refuse to install the Vice Grand of a Be- 
bekah Lodge who was eligible at the time of her election, but which 
law was changed afterwards and was in effect on installation night. 124 

A committee appointed as Tellers in an election in a Bebekah Lodge 
having wilfully made false returns of the result, charges were made; 
trial and expulsion followed. The Grand Lodge would not set 
aside the same on the ground that the penalty was excessive 125 

Where on appeal ex-parte affidavits are admitted irregularly, and they 
are afterwards set aside, and the preponderance of legal evidence 
being against the claimant for benefits, the Lodge will be sustained 
in refusing to Day the benefits so claimed 126 

Where there is no funeral no funeral benefits have to be paid 127 

A widow is entitled to such benefits as the By-laws provide at the time 

of the death of husband up to such time as they may be altered . . 128 

Unless the necessary papers on appeal be filed, the Committee on Ap- 
peals in the Grand Lodge have nothing to act upon 129 

Where a brother claims sick benefits, and his Lodge appoints a com- 
mittee to investigate the claim, who report adversely, and the Lodge 
refuses to pay benefits on their report, on appeal the Grand Lodge 
sent it back for a new trial 130 

No dispensation having been granted, a brother who was not a Past 
V. G. was elected and installed N. G. of the Lodge, and the same 
being declare 1 illegal ; held, he was not entitled to the honors of P. G. 131 

By the By-laws of a Lodge a member has fourteen weeks to make him- 
self good on the books of the Lodge ; the fourteen weeks expired 
October 6th ; on that evening he was reported sick ; held, he was 
entitfed to sick benefits 132 



196 INDEX. 



ASSESSMENTS. Section 

The revenue of the Grand Lodge shall be raised for necessary expenses, 

and not for accumulation or investment 133 

Such revenue shall be derived from Charter fees and assessments 133 

At each annual session the Finance Committee shall ascertain what 

amount shall be necessary to raise to pay expenses, and such 

amount to be assessed on Subordinates 133 

The Grand Lodge cannot levy an assessment for establishing: an asylum 

for aged and infirm members of the Order in good standing. ...... 134 

District Grand Committees. 

Cannot assess to purchase regalia for the D. D. G. M 135 

Cannot assess to pay expenses of members attending meetings of Dis- 
trict Grand Committee 136 

Cannot assess to pay expenses of the D. D. G. M. incurred in the dis- 
charge of his official duties 137 

Cannot assess to pay for translation in proceedings on appeal. , 138 

Cannot assess for refreshments, mileage, or per diem for members at- 
tending sessions of District Grand Committee 139 

Cannot assess for any purpose except for rent, books, and stationery 

actually used in District Grand Committee 140 

Cannot assess for printing circulars or electioneering documents 141 

Assessments levied by D. G. Committee are payable forthwith, and com- 
mittee are not obliged to give items for which levy is made. If a 
Lodge refuses to pay the D. G. Committee may prefer charges 

against the Lodge 142 

A Lodge cannot exact items of an assessment made by a D. G. Committee 143 

Subordinate Lodges. 

Cannot assess members for fitting up Lodge room 144 

Cannot assess to pay for watchers of sick 145 

Cannot assess for entertaining guests, etc 146 

Cannot assess to pay expenses for attending schools of instruction 147 

Cannot assess for any purpose so long as they have money, unless 

provided for in the By-laws 148 

May levy and assess to pay sick benefits if no money in treasury to pay 

the same 149 

Cannot assess for Anniversary supper 150 

Cannot assess to assist in erecting or furnishing a hall for the Lodge. . . 151 

BALLOT. 

Voting for members must be by ball ballot 152 

Manner of receiving for membership 153 

Manner of receiving by deposit of Card 153 

Manner of proposing and receiving a lady candidate 154 

Manner of proposing and receiving a member to a Subordinate Lodge . 155 

The Noble Grand must declare result of ballot 156 

The Vice Grand may make known result if By-laws so provide 157 

It is proper and legal for the Vice Grand to examine the ballot 158 

When the Noble Grand knows that illegal votes have been cast he may 

declare the ballot to be void 159 

A brother who has been excused from voting has a right to vote after- 
wards 160 

An informal ballot is not recognized in a Lodge 161 

All qualified members are required to vote on ballot for candidates, un- 
less excused by the Lodge 162 

If a majority of the brethren, by ballot, authorize the degree to be con- 
ferred the brother is entitled to a certificate for the same 163 

In balloting for initiation or degrees the Noble Grand should vote, and 
the Vice Grand should examine the ballot for degrees the same as 

for initiation 164 



INDEX. 



197 



BALLOT — Continued. Section 
A ballot for degrees must be taken separately for each degree ; there is 
no limitation of time when application shall be made ; a majority 
vote is all that is required, and not more than one degree shall be 
granted or conferred at the same meeting without a dispensation 
therefor 165 

Reconsiderations. 

When and how a reconsideration can be had 166 

After a rejection, when and how a reconsideration maybe made, viz.: 
who can make, how taken, and when ballot on the same can be 

taken 167 

A reconsideration of a favorable ballot can be taken at any time before 

admission ... , 168 

A reconsideration must be taken by ball ballots 169 

The granting of a Withdrawal Card cannot be reconsidered. If a brother 
desires to stay he must be received in same manner as by deposit 
of Card 170 

BENEFITS. 

In Subordinates. 

Qualifications for, amount of, as provided by the By-laws of the Lodge; 
while on the sick list member, if entitled to benefits, cannot be 
suspended if amount be due sufficient to pay his arrearages 171 

In case of death of member qualified a funeral benefit allowed: on death 

of wife such amount as allowed by the By-laws of the Lodge 171 

In all cases such amount shall be paid as the By-laws provide and in 
the manner provided in the Constitution, By-laws, Rules, and Regu- 
lations of the Order 171 

Any resort to the civil courts for benefits, until all remedies provided 

are exhausted, renders all claims null and void 171 

In Rebekahs. 

A Lodge may pay for relief of sick, etc., such sums as members may 

vote, and may provide for regular weekly benefits in the By-laws. . . . 172 

General Rules. 

Weekly benefits must be fixed by the By-laws 173 

No distinction between residents and non-residents as to benefits can 

be made 174 

A State Senator while in discharge of his duties is not a non-resident. . 175 
A brother taken sick within six months after his initiation, and remains 

so, becomes beneficial at the expiration of six months 176 

A Lodge cannot, by its By-laws, deduct from benefits for services of 

a doctor sent by the Noble Grand 177 

A Lodge is held liable for benefits where a brother has been misled by 

the Secretary as to amount of dues 178 

A Lodge having received the dues of a brother, and no charges having 

been made against him, must, in case of sickness, pay him sick 

benefits. 179 

Suicide of a brother does not deprive his family of benefits provided by 

the By-laws of his Lodge 180 

Claims against a deceased brother cannot be set off so as to dep ive his 

widow from funeral benefits 181 

The family of a deceased brother in arrears cannot be entitled to bene- 
fits by paying up the same during his last illness .... .... 182 

Bad character of the widow of a deceased member does not deprive her 

ot funeral benefits 183 

A brother who is not entitled to sick benefits is not entitled on death of 

his wife to funeral benefits 184 

A member who is at no expense for the burial of his wife is not entitled 

to funeral benefit 185 



198 INDEX. 



BENEFITS— Continued. Section 

An executor of the estate of a brother has no claim for funeral benefit. . 186 

A brother mentally deranged, attempting to commit suicide, is entitled 

to benefits 187 

Pending an appeal to the Grand Lodge by the Lodge, the Lodge must 

pay the brother sick benefits 188 

Pending determination of charges the brother, if otherwise qualified, is 

entitled to benefits 189 

After expulsion of a member, all moneys due him for benefits prior to 

expulsion must be paid 190 

A brother who is sick and in arrears is entitled to the visit and fraternal 

care of the Sick Committee 191 

A Lodge has the right to reduce the amount of its sick benefits, and all 
members are governed by the same. This applies to all, whether 
sick or well , 192 

A Lodge has no claim against a sister Lodge for money paid to a non- 
beneficial member 193 

A brother absent from the location of his Lodge and taken sick, his 
Lodge has the right to demand a physician's certificate before pay- 
ing benefits 194 

Non-payment of fines does not debar from benefits, if otherwise beneficial. 195 

A Lodge cannot limit the time that a brother who is sick shall be en- 
titled to sick benefits 196 

A Lodge may provide in its By-laws against paying benefits for a frac- 
tional part of a week 197 

A Visiting Committee reports a member sick and entitled to benefits; 
no motion for the payment of his benefits is necessary. The Noble 
Grand should order payment, unless a motion to the contrary be 
adopted by the Lodge 1 98 

A sick member at home, visited and reported by the Sick Committee, 
need not send to the Lodge a statement of benefits due him, nor 
when in charge of a sister Lodge. "When away from home and taken 
sick, should send to his Lodge evidence of his sickness and bill 
for benefits claimed 199 

Old age, and its ordinary disability from following his usual occupation 

or earning a living, does not per se entitle a member to benefits. . . 200 

A Lodge cannot require a member sick to present each week a physi- 
cian's certificate 201 

The words "good standing" mean, not owing more than thirteen 
weeks' dues. The Password is not evidence of good standing for 
sick benefits 202 

A Lodge in its By-laws may discriminate, as to benefits, according to 
degrees obtained. Where there are no By-laws discriminating, all 
receive alike, whatever may be the degree obtained 203 

A brother who is in arrears while sick cannot, by paying up while sick, 

qualify for benefits 204 

A sick member in arrears cannot be entitled to benefits because his 

Lodge has donated money to him 205 

A member was in arrears. The By-laws of his Lodge provide, that a 
member cannot be entitled to sick benefits until thirteen weeks 
after payment. Held, entitled to benefits after expiration of thir- 
teen weeks 206 

A Lodge should attend to sick visitation and burial of the dead, not 
only of its own members, but for brothers of sister Lodges in its 
charge 207 

It is competent for a I odge to provide in its By-laws when benefits 
shall commence. Where there are no By-laws regulating the same 
the Constitution of Subordinates must govern 208 

A member cannot be declared in arrears at the meeting of the Lodge on 

the thirteenth night. He has all that evening to pay up 209 

Where the Constitution of Subordinates provides for benefits a Lodge 
cannot by its By-laws impair the limit or right of a brother to re- 
ceive the same 210 



INDEX. 199 



BENEFITS— Continued. Section 
A Lodge has no right to refuse benefits because it had heard that the 
deceased brother had to his pri j st renounced the Order on his dy- 
ing bed The communication to the priest cannot be accepted. .. 211 
Members of the several degrees are entitled to sick benefits, if the By- 
laws so provide 212 

A salaried officer can also draw sick benefits if the Lodge so decides. . . 213 
A sister Lodge has no right to pay sick benefits to a brother after his 

Lodge has notified it to pay him no more benefits 214 

BY-LA.W3. 

Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Lodge may adopt By-laws in conformity with its Constitu- 
tion, which cannot be altered, repealed, or amended except in the 
manner provided in said Constitution 215 

Subordinate Lodges. 

A Subordinate Lodge shall be competent to make, alter, or amend its 
By-laws, Rules, and Regulations, not in conflict with the laws of 
the Grand Lodge or Sovereign Grand Lodge, and are in force from 
the time of their adoption, subject to approval, etc 216 

Degree Lodges. 

Can adopt By-laws, provided they do not conflict with laws of Grand 

Lodge, etc 217 

Rebekah Lodges. 

Have power to make By-laws and Rules of Order not inconsistent with 
the laws, etc., of Sovereign Grand Lodge, Grand Lodge, and rules, 
usages, and general regulations of the Order. They are in force 
from the time of their adoption, subject to approval of the Grand 
Lodge 218 

All amendments to the By-laws of a Subordinate shall be sent to the 

Committee on Laws as soon as practicable after adoption 219 

A proposition to amend the By-laws of a Lodge, action should be taken 
as soon as the laws permit without postponement. Any amendment 
being acted upon, and new matter is offered, it must lie over for the 
period prescribed by the laws, and a By-law cannot be suspended by 
resolution or motion 220 

A Lodge has the right to make drunkenness an object for penalty, but 

need not be defined as habitual 221 

No By-law can in any way be suspended, altered, or repealed except by 
amendment, nor can the same be withdrawn after offered except 
by consent of the Lodge 222 

CARDS. 

Grand Lodge Cards or Certificates, how granted 223 

The Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge, when authorized to issue 

Cards : 224 

When Grand Secretary may issue Cards 225 

A brother holding a Withdrawal Card may visit any Lodge during the 

life of such Card, including the Lodge which granted it 226 

A member who loses his Withdrawal Card, his Lodge has no right to 
grant a duplicate, the year having transpired; but he is entitled to a 
Certificate from his Lodge, showing date of his initiation and fact of 
his taking a Withdrawal Card, its date, and his rank at the time of 

his withdrawal. He ranks as an Ancient Odd Fellow 227 

A Grand Lodge Card does not restore to membership 228 

Rebekah Lodge Certificates, how applied for, and how Visiting Cards 

may be granted, and Withdrawal Cards how granted, and cost of. . . 229 



200 INDEX. 



CARDS -Continued. Section 

A Noble Grand would be justified in refusing to sign a Card voted in 
violation of law. The Vice Grand's signature would not legalize a 
Card requiring the Noble Grand's signature who had refused to 
sign it 230 

A Lodge has no right to refuse a Visiting Card to a member in good 

standing, when no charges are pending and he has paid for it 231 

A brother who is not entitled to benefits may be entitled to a Visiting 

Card, but the Card should show that fact 232 

A Lodge has no right to refuse a Withdrawal Card to a member who 
withdraws to form a new Lodge, if he is clear of the books of his 
Lodge , 233 

A brother is entitled to a Visiting Card who has paid up his arrearages, 
and for the time the Card has to run, although he is not entitled to 
benefits for three months after he has paid his arrearages 234 

A Lodge must act forthwith on an application for a Withdrawal Card; 

no right to postpone action thereon 235 

An illegal vote on a Withdrawal Card may be reconsidered by a Lodge, 

and application be withdrawn 236 

The difference between a Dismissal Certificate and a Withdrawal Card 
is, that the A. T. P. W. accompanies the Withdrawal Card, but not 
the Dismissal 237 

A brother of the Initiatory having received a Withdrawal Card has only 
the right to visit or deposit in the same degree. His Lodge cannot 
elect him to other degrees, or give an order to another Lodge to 
do so 238 

Officers of a Lodge have authority to grant Visiting Cards to members 

applying therefor out of Lodge sessions 239 

A brother who has taken a Withdrawal Card, but has not changed his 
residence from the town in which his Lodge is located, the Lodge in 
another town where he applies for deposit must get the consent of 
the Lodge nearest his residence before they can receive him 240 

CERTIFICATES. 

A Past Grand is entitled to a certificate that he has served as Noble 
Grand a majority of the nights of the term, and his chair not de- 
clared vacant, although charges against him are undetermined. . . . 241 

A brother is entitled to a Dismissal Certificate, although he has been 
suspended for non-payment of dues; on his tendering one dollar to 
the Lodge it must be granted 242 

CHARGE BOOKS. 

A Noble Grand has no right to lend the Charge Books to members or 

officers to be taken out of Lodge room 243 

When a Lodge has lost a Charge Book it is the duty of the Grand 
Master to direct charges to be preferred, and the Lodge must try, 
etc. Any officer or member who may lose a Charge Book is liable 
to charges and speedy punishment 244 

COMMITTEES. 

Standing Committee of Grand Officers. 

The Standing Committee of the Grand Lodge shall be composed of the 
elective Grand Officers, except the Grand Representatives, to act in 
the recess and perform such duties as may be assigned them. The 
Grand Master shall be chairman 245 

Subordinate Lodge, an application for Charter for, to be presented to 
District Grand Committee; then, if approved, to the Standing Com- 
mittee, and, if approved by them. Dispensation may issue In case 
of no District Grand Committee in the county, the Standing Com- 
mittee have power to grant; in both cases subject to approval of the 
Grand Lodge 246 



INDEX. 201 



COMMITTEES-Continued. Section 

Standing Committee during recess have power to restore to fellowship 
applicants for resuscitation of an extinct Lodge of which they were 

members ... 247 

It is the duty of the Standing Committee to reclaim Charter and effects 
of any Kebekah Lodge that has failed to make its returns as re- 
quired by law , 248 

Standing Committee have power during recess to grant a Dispensation 
for the restoration of an extinct Lodge, upon a proper petition of 
members of the Lodge, subject to confirmation at the next session 
of the Grand Lodge, but not without 249 

Annual Standing Committees. 

Are appointed at each annual session of the Grand Lodge from the 
Representatives present, subject to the approval of Grand Lodge. 
They are appointed by the Grand Master ; names of committees, 
number of members composing each committee, and their re- 
spective duties 250 

District Grand Committees. 

How formed; when they may have more than one in a county; how 

changed or consolidated, and qualification of D. D. G. M 251 

Membership in a District Grand Committee ; only Past Grands in good 
standing in his Lodge ; must produce a certificate of his Lodge to 
that effect ; he must be in possession of the Past Noble Grand's De- 
gree before seated. Each Lodge must give notice to the committee 
of withdrawal, suspension, or expulsion of any Past Grand thereof; 
sessions, how held ; annual, third Wednesday in March ; power to 
make rules ; to elect Secretary annually ; his duties ; suspension of 
District Grand Committee, for what cause ; expenses of and how 
met ; who cannot vote on appeals, etc , 252 

District Grand Committee cannot be formed in a county where there 

is but one Lodge 253 

Where the Semi-Annual Password is withheld from a Lodge for non- 
payment of Grand Lodge assessment, its Past Grands cannot be 
admitted to District Grand Committee. . . 254 

An expelled brother, appealing to the District Grand Committee from 
his Lodge for expelling him, is not entitled to a seat therein, but may 
be present in person or by counsel when his case is acted upon . . . 255 

Members not entitled to vote, speak, or offer any resolution in a District 
Grand Committee, in any matter in which they or their Lodge are 
interested in . . 256 

A District Grand Committee may review and set aside the action of a 

Lodge on a question of law, where the decision was erroneous 257 

A District Deputy Grand Master in his official correspondence should 

use the seal of his I dstrict Grand Committee 258 

Members of a District Grand Committee are not required to wear their 
regalia while in session, but should wear some badge to designate 
their rank 259 

There is no such offence as contempt of a District Grand Committee. . . 260 

A District Grand Committee has power to adjourn to a time certain. . . 261 

In the absence of the District Deputy Grand Master at a meeting of the 
District Grand Committee a Past Grand may preside, and may con- 
fer the Past Official Degree 262 

At a meeting of the District Grand Committee members must give the 

Passwords of the term and of the Past Noble Grand's Degree 263 

When an appeal is before the District Grand t ommittee from the Lodge 

of the D D. G M. he may preside 264 

A D. G. Committee must make return in any case tried before them to 

the Grand Lodge where an appeal has been taken to that body .... 265 

The Secretary of a D. G. Committee enters upon the discharge of his 
duties as soon as elected, unless the By-laws otherwise direct. He 
must receive all assessments levied by the committee 266 



202 INDEX. 



COMMITTEES— Continued. Section 

A District Grand Committee has no right to lay an assessment for 
printing circulars for election of officers, or in respect to any contro- 
versy 267 

A D. G. Committee has no right to issue circulars to Lodges in favor of 

their nominees for Grand Officers, although not under seal 268 

In D. G. Committees all members are eligible for D. D. G. M. A mem- 
ber may nominate himself, and no recommendations for office from 
Lodges shall be received . 269 

A D. G. Committee can assess its Lodges only for expenses incident to 

its own management and its meetings 270 

The annual meeting of a D. G Committee must be held on the third 
Wednesday of March. If no hour or place has been named by the 
D. G. Committee or its By-laws, the D. D. G. M. may designate 
the same, and notice of the same shall be givtn to each Lodge in 
the District 271 

AD. G. Committee may create a Committee on Appeals. Their report 
and decision are not final, but must be presented to the D. G. Com- 
mittee for its action thereon , . . 272 

A Past Grand holding an unexpired Withdrawal Card, the Past Grand's 
Degree, and Annual Traveling Password, has a right to a seat in 
the D. G. Committee, but has no right to vote. . . . 273 

The Noble Grand's Degree may be conferred at a special meeting of the 

D. G. Committee upon a proper certificate 274 

At a meeting of the D. G. Committee the D. D. G. M. is the officer to 
preside ; a Grand Master has no right to require him to surrender 
the chair that he may preside. The D. D. G. M., while presiding, 
is not the representative of the Grand Master ; while so presiding 
he is an officer of the D. G. Committee under the laws 275 

A District Grand Committee has no power to assess for the purchase of 

regalia and jewel for the D. D. G. M. and his staff 276 

A District Grand Committee has no right to assess for hiring carriages 

at funerals, or to defray the expenses of anniversaries or celebrations 277 

In District Grand Committees only Past Grands are members. 278 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

Subordinate Lodges are forbidden to interfere by communications un- 
der their respective seals in voting for Grand Officers ; voting be- 
longs only to Past Grands 279 

Subordinate Lodges are prohibited from sending circulars or documents 

of a character intended to influence votes of members 280 

Subordinate Lodg-s are piohibited from sending an> letters or circu- 
lars to sister Lodges, or to members of the Order, censuring the ac- 
tion of any officer or committee of the Grand Lodge 281 

CREDENTIALS. 

For Grand Lodge. — A Past Grand must produce a certificate from his 
Subordinate Lods;e. duly signed, with the seal of his Lo^ge, certify- 
ing that he is in good standing, ihat he has been duly elected to 
and served a regular term as Noble Grand, and that he is entitled 
to membership in the Grand Lodge of New York 282 

Irregular credentials will not be received for Regular or Proxy Repre- 

sentatives from any Lodge v 283 

The Grand Lodge will not confer the Grand Lodge Degree on appli- 
cants unless their credentials are properly signed and sealed . . . . 284 

Imperfect Credentials or Certificates of Representatives shall be returned 

to the Lodge issuing them, for correction, by the Grand Secretary. 285 

DEGREES. 

District Grand Committees. — The D. D. G. M. shall preside; enforce the 
Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge ; have power to call 
special meetings ; grant dispensations for degrees, and is respon- 
sible that the work is performed, etc 286 



INDEX. 203 



DEGREES— Continued. Section 

Subordinate Lodges may confer the degrees on their own members; 
and on members of sister Lodges in the same District, without fee, 
upon deposit of the necessary certificate, with request to do so 287 

Eligibility for degrees. — Must be in membership for one week, and suf- 
ficiently acquainted with the unwritten work of the Initiatory De- 
gree ; for the higher degrees must give correctly the unwritten work 
of the degrees he has received ; not more than one conferred the 
same night without dispensation from proper officer 288 

Application for degrees shall be with fees required for ; certificate shall 
be issued for only one degree, and granted on application by ball 
ballot of the members of Third Degree ; a majority voting shall 
elect, and if favorable a certificate shall be granted ; when rejected 
cannot be applied for again for four weeks after such rejection 288 

Past Official may be conferred by D. D. G. M. at any proper time or 
place upon receiving from the candidate proper certificate for the 
same 289 

When certificate for degrees is granted it should be issued to appli- 
cant ; the granting and conferring are separate and distinct exer- 
cises of power, and distinct and separate minutes are required to 
be kept 290 

Noble Grand must preside when balloting for degree certificates ; a De- 
gree Master cannot supervise the balloting for degree certificates. . 291 

Certificate for Past Official Degree must be presented before confer- 
ring, but may be conferred without, if the officer is satisfied by 
positive proof that the brother is entitled 292 

Money paid for degrees where brother neglects to appear and receive 

them cannot be returned or applied for payment of dues 293 

A brother cannot hold membership in two Degree Lodges at the same 

time 294 

A brother is eligible to office of Noble Grand of a Degree Lodge who 
holds membership in a Lodge of another District, if a member of 
the Degree Lodge 295 

In nominations for officers of a Degree Lodge a brother was nominated 
for office and accepted the same. On the night of election he was 
absent, and was ruled out as a candidate for that reason. Held 
error ; the law required him to be present at nomination, not elec- 
tion 296 

Degrees cannot be conferred at a place where there is no Lodge room 
and no Lodge in session, nor in a saloon, nor on an intoxicated 
person 297 

A Subordinate Lodge when granting or conferring degrees should open 

and close in the Third Degree r 298 

DEGREE LODGES. 

Decisions applicable— See Sections 294, 295, 296, nnd 297. 

The Grand Lodge enacts Articles for guidance of Degree Lodges, viz. : 

Must have five qualified members to preside at its meetings 299 

The elective officers, named and designated ; the appointed officers, 
named and designated ; officers to serve for twelve months ; to 
be elected at last regular meeting in each term, and installed 
the first meeting in the succeeding term 299 

A brother is not eligible for Degree Master, Deputy Degree Master, 
and Past Gratd, unless he has passed the Noble Grand's chair 
in a Subordinate Lodge. Any member of the Degree of Truth is 
eligible to all other offices, and any officer may be re-elected. . 299 

The Degree Master to preside ; powers of officer ; shall be assisted 
by Deputy Degree Master, who shall appoint minority of com- 
mittees on investigation for membership ; in the absence of 
the Degree Master he shall preside 299 

The duties of the Secretary, Treasurer, and appointed officers pre- 
scribed ; office may be declared vacant, when, how, and how 
and when filled 299 



204 INDEX. 



DEGREE LODGES— Continued. Section 

Qualification of members; must have Degree of Truth, and be a regu- 
lar contributing member of a Subordinate Lodge under the 
jurisdiction of Grand Lodge of New York 299 

How proposed and elected a member of Degree Lodge 299 

Admission fee and dues as By-laws provide; authority as prescribed 
by law and regulation of Lodge. For offence against law, etc., 
member may be fined, suspended, reprimanded, or expelled 1 
after fair trial, and has the right of appeal in manner and form 
prescribed 299 

Work of Degree Lodge : to confer on members in membership in 
Lodge under jurisdiction of Grand Lodge the First, Second, and 
Third Degrees. Candidate must present certificate for the same, 
aod form of 299 

How Degree Lodge, may confer on a member of a Lodge in another 
District; how certificate must be endorsed; amount of fee for 
conferring a degree.. 299 

A term of Degree Lodge is one year, commencing with first stated 

meeting in January 299 

Ueturns made yearly, what to contain, to whom made; moneys to be 

paid to Grand Lodge . 299 

How Charter forfeited, to whom surrendered ; when liable to charges, 

how preferred and tried 299 

By-laws and rules amended and powers to adopt By-laws and 

resolutions 299 

A brother cannot hold membership in two Degree Lodges at the same 

time 300 

A brother in membership in one District, if a member of the Degree 

Lodge, is eligible to Noble Grand's chair in another District 301 

Degree Master has no right to confer degrees where there is no Lodge 

room or Lodge in session, nor in a saloon, nor upon an intoxicated 

person 302 

DUES AND FINES. 

Each Subordinate Lodge shall pay to Grand Lodge the amount of its 
assessment, and every Degree Lodge all surplus moneys in its 
funds over five hundred dollars, to be paid semi-annually 303 

Amount of fees and dues for initiation, admission by Cards, degrees, 
regular contribution to Lodge funds, provided for ; dues accrue 
weekly, and By-law must prescribe by the week 304 

Amount to be paid for fee to Degree Lodge prescribed, and penalty for 

non-payment 305 

Fee for conferring degree, amount, and who paid to 306 

Admission fee fixed by Lodge must be paid by member, and until paid 

is not eligible to office 307 

In a Kebekah Lodge, initiation fee not less than one dollar ; dues are 
fixed by the By-laws ; suspended members, how reinstated and how 
suspended 308 

If a candidate is rejected his proposition fee must be returned ; same 

when proposition is withdrawn 309 

Charter members of a Lodge not required to pay admission fee 310 

Dues run, on suspension of a brother, for a definite period; if brother re- 
turns at expiration of time he is charged for dues accruing during 
the period rf his suspension . , .. 311 

A brother improperly expelled cannot be obliged to pay dues during 

time of expulsion 312 

A Secretary cannot refuse to receive dues from a member who is over 
twelve months in arrears ; the Treasurer is not authorized to re- 
ceive dues from members 313 

A Lodge cannot provide by By-law that its members must pay three 

mo aths' dues in advance 314 

During the running of a Visiting Card, if dues are increased, the broth- 
er must pay the increase from the time of the increase 315 



INDEX. 205 



DUES AND FUNDS - Continued. Section 

Lodge cannot remit dues owing by a member, in whole or in part, but 

may donate as stated 316 

Lodge cannot suspend for non-payment of dues until brother has been 

notified of intended action 317 

If a Lodge increases its dues every member is bound to pay the increased 

rate 318 

A member in arrears for one year or more, his Lodge extended the 
time for him to pay ; at the expiration of that time he was sus- 
pended, although the Secretary had told him further time would 
be given. Held legal ; such promise did not bind the Lodge 319* 

Before a brother can be suspended for non-payment of dues the year 
must have fully expired ; action may be ta^en at the next meeting 
after the full year has expired ; he should be given notice of his 
arrears and when it should be paid. Should he then neglect, un- 
less the Lodge otherwise order, he must be suspended 320 

Where a member tendered his money at the first meeting of his Lodge 
in the new year, no notice having been given to him ; held illegal 
to suspend 321 

Permanent Secretary cannot legally refuse to receive dues which a 

member may tender, when the amount is more than one week's dues 322: 

A regular meeting of a Lodge falling on Christmas and New Year 
nights, having been omitted, a member has to the 8th oi January to 
pay his arrearages before becoming disqualified from receiving 
benefits 323 

ELECTIONS. 

It requires a majority of all votes cast to elect officers ; blanks count 

same as votes, and must be counted 324r 

A brother desires to vote at an election after the polls are closed. The 
Noble Grand has the right to declare them open for that purpose, 
provided the votes had not been canvassed. In case that vote so 
received was illegal, no person having objected, it would not vitiate 
the ballot 325 

PINES. 

Members who violate any principles of the Order or laws may be fined, 
reprimanded, suspended, or expelled. Any member who refuses 
to pay fines for two weeks shall be deprived of his right to speak or 
vote in his Lodge or be entitled to Semi-Annual Password or Cards. 
If he allows them to remain unpaid for four weeks after notice, the 
Lodge has a right to deduct the same from any benefits which may 
thereafter accrue to him 326 

Unless By-laws of a Lodge so provide, members cannot be fined for not 

attending an anniversary of the Lodge 327 

Members cannot be fined for absence from the meetings or elections of 

their Lodge 328 

Lodges may fine officers and committees who fail to perform their du- 
ties, when the By-laws so provide. Fines are penalties 329 

Where a member belongs to several societies, and the deceased is the 
same way situated, he may attend the society which he elects he 
will appear with 330 

For non-performance of duty on Standing Committee, where fines are 
prescribed by the Lodge they cannot be remitted, except as pro- 
vided , . 331 

A Lodge can fine its members for not attending funeral of a non- 
beneficial member .. . 332 

A member cannot be deprived of benefits by being in arrears for fines. 333. 

A member who has a Visiting Card is not exempt from fines for non- 
attendance at funerals, and the Lodge may refuse him another 
Card until fines are paid 334r 

All members of a Lodge, of whatever Degree, are liable to fine for non- 
attendance at a funeral after notice, if the By-laws so provide 335- 



206 INDEX. 



FUNDS OP SUBORDINATES. Section 

The funds and properties of a Subordinate Lodge are held in trust for 
charitable purposes of the Order, and donating or dividing them in 
any manner among the members is a violation of law, and the pen- 
alty is expulsion. If a Lodge fails to hold its meetings for six 
months consecutively, all its moneys and properties shall be sur- 
rendered to the Grand Lodge, to be held in trust for the purposes 

therein named . 336 

Upon suspension or expulsion of a Lodge, the last installed officers and 
members having the custody of Charter and effects must assign, 
transfer, and deliver the same on demand to the Grand Master or 
District Deputy Grand Master of the District, or other brother 
authorized to receive the same, with penalty for refusing to do so. . 336 
All such effects shall be held by the Grand Lodge in trust for the mem- 
bership, in case of restoration of the Lodge within three years, after 

which they belong to the Grand Lodge 336 

The funds and property of a Lodge must be used as the law directs, 
and cannot be divided among its members ; how may be divided 
with a Lodge that may branch from it ; and when a brother ceases 

to be a member his rights to the same are forfeited 337 

A Lodge may pay for a picture of an old and tried member of the 

Lodge 338 

A Lodge may donate to the widow of a brother who was not in good 

standing at his death 339 

A Lodge may appropriate funds to celebrate its anniversary, but not 

for balls, suppers, excursions, or picnics. 340 

Funds raised voluntarily for entertainment of visiting brothers may be 

used by the Lodge for such purpose 341 

A Lodge cannot donate from its funds to entertain Past Grands or others 

who attend schools of instruction 342 

A Lodge may pay expenses of a committee appointed to attend the 
funeral of a member at a distance from the Lodge location, and for 

white gloves for funeral 343 

A Lodge may pay for watchers for sick members 344 

A Lodge has the* right to pay for legal expenses 345 

A Lodge may donate to a member sick or in distress who is under 

charges 346 

A Rebekah Lodge may pay for carriage hire to attend funeral of a de- 
ceased sister, but not for suppers or collations for sister Lodges 

visiting them 347 

A Lodge may donate to widows and orphans of soldiers who fell in a 

foreign war 348 

A Lodge has the right to donate to the widow of a deceased Odd Fellow 349 
Division of funds to form new Lodges is allowed, as provided by law ; 

but those going out cannot vote on the subject. 350 

Degree fees paid by a brother who has not received them may be paid 

back to him on his request, he returning the certificate 351 

Officers' bonds, or security bonds for money to a Lodge incorporated, 

should be made to the Lodge in its corporate name 352 

A Lodge has the right to donate to the widow of a member of the Lodge 

who was not in good standing at the time of his death 353 

There can be no separate fund in a Lodge from which only those who 

contribute to it shall receive the benefits thereof. 354 

Weekly dues and all other revenues of the Lodge are trust funds, to be 
used only as the laws provide. Should there be no funds to pay 
benefits the Lodge may assess to pay them. Specially levied or ac- 
quired funds must be reserved for the purpose for which they were 

collected 355 

A Lodge may pay from its funds for a piano for the use of the Lodge. . 356 
A Lodge may invest its funds in a building and loan association, and 
may appropriate to aid in construction of the Order's Orphan 
Asylum, but not for entertainment of the members or their 
friends 357 



INDEX. 207 



FUNDS OF SUBORDINATES -Continued. Section 

A Subordinate Lodge may set apart five per cent, received from dues as 
a contingent fund, from which they may pay for entertainment, 
etc., but such fund must beset aside by the Lodge by a formal act. 358 

Where the By-laws of a Lodge provide for only one fund/all moneys re- 
ceived from whatever source must be paid into said fund 359 

A Lodge can reconsider its action by which funds raised by an enter- 
tainment were paid into the Lodge fund 360 

Subordinate Lodges are authorized to set apart five per cent, of their 
receipts from dues as a contingent fund, to be used for such ex- 
penditures as the Lodge may deem wise and proper 361 

A Lodge has the right to pay the expenses of a Representative or Proxy 

to the Grand Lodge 362 

GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION. 

Preamble. — As to Charter, name, style, and title of ; power and author- 
ity, etc 363 

Name, and of whom composed ; is Supreme Jurisdiction in the State ; 
no Lodge can be formed or exist without its sanction ; has sole 
power to grant or suspend Charters, of receiving appeals and re- 
dressing grievances, of deciding, as the last resort in the State, all 
questions arising out of its Constitution, By-laws, and Rules of 
Order 363 

To entitle to membership in the Grand Lodge must produce certificate 

from Subordinate ; and what the certificate shall contain 363 

Sessions, how many, where held ; where the seat is, and where the office 

of Graud Secretary shall always be located 363 

Business in the Grand Lodge transacted by elective Grand Officers, Past 
Grand Masters, and Representatives ; all members may be present, 
but none allowed to vote, except officers and Representatives 363 

Every Subordinate Lodge entitled to one Representative and Proxy ; 

when elected, and to hold office for one year 363 

Proxy may be elected for same term or less than Regular ; but no Past 
Grand can act as Regular and Proxy, nor for more than one Lodge 
at the same time 363 

Special sessions may be called by the Grand Master, but no business can 
be transacted except what is named in the call ; not less than thirty 
days' notice must be given to each Representative of such special 

session 363 

Grand Lodge cannot be opened for business unless thirty Lodges are 
represented; but for instruction or exemplification of the work ten 
Grand Lodge members shall constitute a quorum 363 

Officers of Graud Lodge. — Each hold for one year, except the Grand 
Representatives who hold for two years ; elected in the manner 
prescribed in the By-laws of the Grand Lodge 363 

Appointed Officers are appointed by the Grand Master by and with 
the consent of the Grand Lodge, together with a D. D. G. M. for 
each District 363 

A Past Grand must be a member of the Grand Lodge for one year to be 
eligible for elective office, and candidates for Grand Representative 
must have Royal Purple Degree and be a member in good standing 
in a Subordinate Encampment 363 

The elective officers, except Grand Representatives, shall constitute the 
Standing Committee to act in recess. The Grand Master shall be 

chairman 363 

How Grand Officers may be removed from office, by trial and vote of 

two-thirds of the Representatives present 363 

When the Grand Master is under trial a Past Grand Master must pre- 
side when any question relating thereto is under consideration .... 363 

Vacancy of D. D. G. M. shall be filled by the Grand Master ; in other 
offices, except Grand Master, shall be filled by the Grand Lodge if 
in session; if not, then by the Standing Committee 363 



208 INDEX. 



GRAND LODGE CONSTITITTION-Continued. section 

Votes.— Every Lodge is entitled to one vote, and more if entitled to by- 
law as provided herein ; each elective officer one vote ; how votes 
may be taken ; how yeas and nays may be called for ; but on ex- 
pulsion of a Representative can only be voted by Representatives . 363 

Revenue. — How raised and for what purposes ; not for accumulation or 
investment beyond the sum of one thousand dollars to meet cur- 
rent expenses in anticipation of receipts . . 363 

From what derived ; amount of diffeient Charter fees, and which 

shall be sent with the application * 363 

Assessments for current year, how ascertained by finance Com- 
mittee, and how assessed, and to be paid to Grand Secretary 
forthwith after notice 363 

Districts, how formed and constituted; how consolidated or divided.. . . 363 

Counties having but one Lodge may be attached to adjoining county. . . 363 

City and County of .New York shall be divided into not less than four 
Districts; County of Kings not less than two, and Erie County not 
less than two; each District to be composed of such Lodges as 
the Grand Lodge may direct 363 

Rebekah Lodge or Lodges in each county shall be a Rebekah District. 
No D. D. G. M. of any Rebekah District can be appointed unless a 
Past Grand or a Fast Noble Grand in membership and good stand- 
ing in a Rebekah Lodge in the District. No District Grand Com- 
mittee of Rebekah recognized. 363 

By-laws and Rules of Order; how adopted, altered, repealed or amended; 

vote required for adoption . . 363 

Constitution for Subordinates for the government of them, and Lodges 

may make By-laws not in conflict with 363 

Rules of Order ol Grand Lodge may be suspended at any meeting by a 
two-third vote, but such suspension shall not extend beyond the 
meeting which voted for such suspension 363 

Amending constitution of the Grand Lodge; no part shall be amended, 
altered, annulled or suspended except at an annual session, in the 
manner prescribed by law 363 

How amended and changed; must be recommended by a majority at an 
annual session, transmitted to every Subordinate ; at next annual 
session if approved by two-thirds of votes given, it goes into effect 
immediately; provided that all changes required to be made to make 
them correspond with the laws, rules, and regulations of the Sover- 
eign Grand Lodge shall be ordered at any annual session 363 

By-laws of Grand Lodge. 

The Grand Lodge shall be opened at the time specified by law, and if a 
quorum be present shall proceed to business; if no quorum is 
present within one-half hour, the Grand Master or the presiding 
officer may adjourn from time to time until a quorum shall appear. 
In the absence of the Grand Master the Deputy Grand Master shall 
preside ; if both be absent, the Grand Warden shall preside ; in the 
absence of all three, the Senior Past Grand Master shall preside ; in 
the absence of either of the officers, his place may be tilled by ap- 
pointment pro tern, by the presiding officer . 364 

How nomination and election of officers are made; time when and where 
made; duty of Grand Secretary therein, and what notice he shall 
send to candidates and Lodges; when the election shall be had; 
poll-lists, who kept by, who certified by, and what shall be done with 
them; the duty of Secretary, etc., thereafter 364 

Votes for Grand Officers; when and how canvassed; no vote except for 
regularly nominated candidate shall be valid or recorded ; a ma- 
jority vote necessary to an election ; in case a candidate has not re- 
ceived the same the Representatives in Grand Lodge shall proceed 
to elect; if no election on first ballot, then balloting to be confined 
to the two candidates having the largest vote ; such canvass and 



INDEX. 209 



GRAND LODGE CONSTITUTION -Continued. Section 

election shall be the first business after organization of the Grand 

Lodge 364 

Nominations for District Deputy Grand Master for each District, if 
recommended at annual meeting of District Grand Committee, shall 
be sent to the Grand Secretary to be delivered to the Grand Master 
on his installation 364 

Rules of Order of Grand Lodge. 

Order of Business at annual session Riven in full : each day the Grand 
Lodge shall take a recess from 12 o'clock, m., until 2 o'clock, p. m. ; 
installation takes place last day of session, no new business shall be 
received or acted upon afterwards 365 

Laws of the Sovereign Grand Lodge or Grand Lodge go into effect from 
time of enactment unless otherwise provided, and are promulgated 
by printed proceedings issued officially by the Grand Secretaries. . 366 

General laws of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, when not of constitutional 

character, when enacted by resolution are binding 367 

Amendments to Constitution of Grand Lodge must be approved by 

Sovereign Grand Lodge before they become operative 368 

No business can be done in the Grand Lodge unless it is opened in the 

Grand Lodge Degree 369 

Charges cannot be preferred in the Grand Lodge against an officer or 

member under the guise of a privileged question. 370 

Charges having been referred to a Trial Committee may, without con- 
sent ot party prefening charges, be taken from said committee by 
the Grand Lodge and referred for trial to Committee of the Whole, 
where the charges may be tried . 371 

The Grand Lodge alone can change the chartered location of a Subor- 
dinate Lodge 372 

The Grand Lodge alone can grant permission to Lodges to hold semi- 
monthly sessions . , „ 373 

Grand Lodge will only take cognizance of papers handed in and 
vouched for by a Representative, or properly authenticated as com- 
ing from members or Lodges of the Order 374 

Grand Lodge may act on an application for a Charter for a Subordinate 
Lodge, although the same has not been before a District Grand 
Committee 375 

Grand Lodge alone has the power to authorize a Lodge to change from 

weekly to fortnightly or semi-monthly meetings 376 

HONORS OP OFFICE. 

An officer who is absent a majority of the nights of the term, even with 
the consent of the Lodge, unless absence is occasioned by sickness, 
forfeits the honors of the office 377 

A Vice Grand, having served twenty-five nights of the term, resigned his 
office on the twenty-sixth night; resignation accepted and his suc- 
cessor elected and installed; loses the honors, and the successor 
entitled to full honors of term 378 

A Noble Grand who has served a majority of the nights of the term, and 

then resigns, is not entitled to a certificate of Past Grand ....... . 379 

INITIATION. 

Must be in accordance with Charge Book; any other manner is improper 
and irregular. Lodge must adhere to the work as prescribed by 
Sovereign Grand Lodge 380 

Can a Lodge initiate with a Scarlet member in the Vice Grand's 

chair ? 381 

A Lodge working in the German language has the right to initiate a can- 
didate and work in the English language while so doing 382 

14 



210 



INDEX. 



INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. Section 

Officers of the Grand Lodge shall be installed on the last day of the 

session, at the conclusion of its business 383 

Officers of Subordinate Lodges shall be elected on the last regular meet- 
ing in each term, and installed first meeting in succeeding term. . . 384 

Officers of Degree Lodges, same as Subordinate Lodges.. 385 

Officers of Rebekah Lodges, same 386 

A Lodge cannot have officers installed until assessments to the Grand 

Lodge are paid 387 

A D. D. G. M. must install the officers of a Lodge which has refused to 

pay an assessment of the District Grand Committee 388 

Public installation is a right for a Lodge to have, if conducted in ac- 
cordance with the law and forms of the Order 389 

Installation of a Degree Lodge by a Special Deputy, appointed for that 

purpose by the D, D. G. M. , is legal 390 

INSTRUCTION IN THE WORK. 

It is the Grand Master's duty to give instruction in the work of the 
Order to the District Deputy Grand Masters or to the Lodges, as 
may be necessary. 391 

By the authority of the Grand Master the work must be obeyed, and 
cannot be overruled by any officer; he is responsible only for any 
error; he may overrule and set aside any instructions in the secret 
work given in the Subordinate Lodges under his jurisdiction by 
the Grand Sire or any of his predecessors, when he thinks they are 
erroneous 392 

Subordinate Lodges cannot instruct their Representatives in voting for 

Grand Officers, The vote is the prerogative of the Past Grand 393 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Qualifications; what they are; where he must be proposed; if a non- 
resident, must get permission from the Grand Lodge or Grand 
Master of the State in which he resides 394 

Proposition for membership, what to contain ; how ; when and how 
referred ; proceedings thereon ; report and proceeding ; balloting 
for, and how rejected 394 

Membership by deposit of Card.— If Card is lost, proof of ; reference 

to committee, and proceedings thereon 394 

Reconsideration of unfavorable ballot, when had, and proceedings to 
be had ; number to reject ; how and when a favorable ballot can be 
reconsidered, and vote required 394 

When candidate is rejected, notice to be given ; to whom and by 
whom ; and candidate cannot be again proposed for six months 
after rejection; does not apply to admission by Card, reinstatement, 
or as an Ancient Odd Fellow 394 

Proposition for membership may be withdrawn previous to report of 

the committee, but not after the report is made 394 

A member suspended or expelled on charges, or suspended for non- 
payment of dues, may be reinstated ; manner of, and proceedings 
to be taken thereon 394 

The vote on the reinstatement of an expelled member shall not be final 

until approved by the District Grand Committee 394 

A suspended or expelled member cannot be received in membership in 

any other Lodge than his own 394 

Minors cannot be admitted into membership ; but, if admitted illegally, 
their standing cannot be prejudiced, and the same with any can- 
didate proposed by them while members 395 

A person can send his petition for membership to the Lodge nearest his 
residence without regard to District lines, measured not by air 
lines, but by a usually traveled route 396 

A Lodge in one District has the right to initiate a candidate residing 
in another District in the same city, without asking permission of 
the Lodge nearest his residence 397 



INDEX. 211 



MEMBERSHIP— Continued. Section 

A resident of a town may apply to any Lodge in his town ; it is legal. 398 

Application for permission to initiate must be made to the Lodge near- 
est to his residence, not to the District Deputy Grand Master . . 399 

A Lodge may receive a member with a stiff hand, or who has lost a limb. 400 

A person, a resident of this country, not naturalized is eligible to mem- 
bership 401 

Indians cannot be admitted to membership, nor half-breeds, nor of 

mixed color 402 

A colored member, in possession of the Password and correct in all the 

work, cannot be admitted to any Lodge in this State 403 

A member who has been rejected, and applying again to another Lodge 
before six months have expired, and admitted, is guilty of fraud 
and liable to expulsion 404 

Proposition for membership ; manner of, and proceedings thereon, and 

how rejected 405 

Ancient Odd Fellows, upon application for membership, must deposit 
their Cards with petition ; if Card is lost, must furnish satisfactory 
evidence of such loss ; how disposed of 406 

A proposition may be withdrawn previous to the report of the Committee 

of Investigation, but not after they have reported thereon 407 

On rejection of candidate, the Secretary to give notice of the same to 
the candidate and sister Lodges in the county ; he cannot be pro- 
posed again within six months ; to whom this does not apply .... 408 

Cannot have a secret committee, in addition to the Committee ol Inves- 
tigation, to report privately to the Noble Grand 409 

An application for membership cannot be withdrawn without consent 

of the Lodge 410 

A withdrawal of proposition cannot be reconsidered at a subsequent 

meeting, so that the committee could immediately report thereon . . 411 

A Lodge may refuse to receive a proposition for membership, but when 
received it must be referred to a committee ; if refused, he does not 
stand as a rejected candidate 412 

A majority of the Committee on Application must unite in a report ; if 

not, it is no report 413 

Brothers with Cards must be fully examined before admitted as mem- 
bers ; how examined 414 

All voting for admission to membership must be by ball ballots, not 

otherwise 415 

A Lodge is not required to notify a Rebekah Lodge of the suspension 

of a member lor non-payment of dues 416 

Reconsideration of an unfavorable ballot ; when and how it may be 
taken ; a favorable ballot may be reconsidered at any time before 
admission, if a majority so agree 417 

When action on reconsideration is illegal, and candidate is initiated, it 

cannot be disturbed 418 

Illegal admission by Card. When his money paid for dues must be 

returned 419 

A brother illegally elected on a Card, he being innocent of misrepre- 
sentation, the Lodge, being in the wrong, cannot take advantage of 
its own error, and cannot set aside the ballot and order a new one 
or return the fee to the brother . 420 

Irregular admission by Withdrawal Card. — A brother signed the Con- 
stitution and paid his dues ; afterwards, the legality of his election 
being questioned, he asked for a Card, which was granted. Held, 
he is still a member of the Lodge 421 

Reinstatement of suspended members.— A member regularly expelled 
or suspended for a definite time, how he may be reinstated, and 
when he cannot be received 422 

A suspended member having been elected for reinstatement, but who 
does not appear, is subject to the same rule as to initiates, unless 
otherwise provided for 423 

Members of merged or extinct Lodges can be reinstated by G. L. Cards. 424 



12 INDEX. 



MEMBEKSHIP— Continued. Section 

"Where the books of an extinct Lodge are lost, the Grand Master may 
issue a dispensation allowing a Lodge to receive a member of an 
extinct Lodge 425 

Members of suspended or defunct Lodges of another jurisdiction may be 
admitted upon Cards issued by the Grand Officers of such 
j urisdiction 426 

The action of a Lodge in expelling a member having been reversed by 
the District Grand Committee, the Lodge must immediately restore 
the brother to membership, although the Lodge has appealed to 
the Grand Lodge, and is liable to charges for refusal 427 

A member by deposit of Card becomes so when he is declared elected 

and has paid the fees required of him by the By-laws of the Lodge. 428 

Those who were members of a Lodge previous to its surrender of the 
Charter, and who are not applicants for return of its Charter, muirt 
return to the Order through their former Lodge, if they were in 
good standing at the time of the surrender ; if not, manner of get- 
ting back 429 

A former member of a resuscitated Lodge is not entitled to a Dismissal 

Certificate to join elsewhere ; he must have a Grand Lodge Card. . . 430 

Members admitted bv deposit of Cards cannot be required to take the 

O. B. N. anew 431 

A brother under charges not decided can prefer charges against another 
brother ; he is innocent until proven guilty, and is entitled to all 
privileges, except to receive a Visiting or Withdrawal Card 432 

A brother under charges undecided has the right to prefer counter- 
charges against the brother who prefers the charges against him. . . 433 

A brother w 7 ho is in arrears for dues has the right to be admitted to his 
Lodge room until he is suspeuded, whether he has the Password or 
not ; but is not entitled to that if over thirteen weeks in arrears. . . 434 

The Noble Grand has no right to give the Password to a member of his 

own Lodge who is over thirteen weeks in arrears 435 

Voting for elective officers is voluntary ; the Noble Grand has the right 
to decline voting, except to decide questions on a tie vote, but not 
on balloting 436 

No person has the right to use the initials I. 0. O. F. unless by permis- 
sion of the proper authority 437 

There is no objection allowed as to the faith or creed of an applicant 

for membership. 438 

Where a member resigns from a Lodge and applies elsewhere, no con- 
sent of his former Lodge is necessary. If the certificate is duly cer- 
tified he can join as an Ancient Odd Fellow 439 

No honorary membership in the Lodges in the State of New York 440 

The same law in reference to reception of initiates governs as to deposit 

of Cards 411 

A suspended brother on reinstatement is not required to sign the Lodge 

Constitution 442 

Money paid by a member on application for reinstatement, who is re- 
jected, must be paid back, notwithstanding he may be indebted to 
the Lodge in the amount paid 443 

All applications for membership must be referred to the Investigating 

Committee, no matter how many there may be 444 

An applicant for membership must be proposed in the Lodge nearest his 
residence, unless that Lodge grants consent to another Lodge to 
receive him ; what the rule is 445 

No honorary membership is permitted in Subordinate or Rebekah Lodges 446 

No religious qualification fur membership is required, except a belief 
in a Supreme Being ; ministers of the Gospel are admitted the same 
as all others, and pay the same fees 447 

An Investigating Committee have the right to an extension of time to 
report, when they reqiiire it ; there may be a majority and minority 
report ; their report must be received and a ballot taken, unless 
referred back to the committee 448 



INDEX. 213 



MEMBERSHIP— Continued. Section 

An application for membership is not invalidated by failure of the 

committee to report at next meeting after their appointment 449 

A ballot on candidates is a trust, not a privilege ; but members should 
not cast white or black balls on personal grounds, but as the good 
of the Order may require 450 

A candidate elected, refusing to answer the questions, has the right to 
be initiated if he returns within the time and answers, unless re- 
considered and rejection follows 451 

A brother who failed to pay all of his initiation fee, his standing in the 

Lodge cannot be questioned 452 

Admission of ministers of the Gospel free of charge has never been sanc- 
tioned by the Grand Lodge of New York . 453 

In balloting for candidates the Warden should submit the box, first to 
the Vice Grand, then to the Noble Grand, for inspection ; the mem- 
bers then ballot ; the box is then closed ; the Warden should then 
submit the ballot for inspection, first to the Vice Grand, then to 
the Noble Grand, who announces the result. The Vice Grand re- 
mains mute unless the statement is incorrect. No member can 
question the reason or cause of black balls. Reconsideration, how 
had 454 

A member on admission must sign the Constitution and By-laws as they 

are 455 

A member who joins the Lodge by Card, Dismissal Certificate, or rein- 
statement, except a brother of the Lodge suspended for non- 
payment of dues, or as an Ancient Odd Fellow, must sign the Con- 
stitution 456 

A member in good standing may withdraw from the Lodge ; if the 
Lodge refuses, what he may do and where he may apply for mem- 
bership 457 

A member in arrears and not in good standing cannot vote on any 
question before the Lodge, and, if a Past Grand, has no right to 
vote for Grand Officers 458 

An expelled member may be proposed for reinstatement by any mem- 
ber of the Lodge, and proceedings had thereon 459 

A member being expelled, it requires reversal of expulsion on appeal to 
reinstate, unless the Lodge reinstates by vote ; and no bargains 
shall be made for the future 460 

No member has the right to address Lodges in behalf of a political can- 
didate, nor should a D. D. G. M. do the same thing. 461 

A member of the Third Degree, on properly proving himself, is entitled 
to admission at all times, except during opening, closing, and the 
initiation ceremony . . 462 

A person interested in the sale or manufacture of intoxicating liquors 

is eligible to membership 463 

A candidate may be initiated the same night he is elected, unless the 

By-laws forbid it 464 

The name of a living person cannot be given to a Lodge until otherwise 

ordered by the Grand Lodge 465 

OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE. 

The names of, terms of, and how elected ; what officers may be ap- 
pointed ; who shall appoint ; who are eligihle ; when eligible, and 
the qualifications of the Grand Representatives ; who compose the 
Standing Committee to act in the recess of the annual session of 
the Grand Lodge ; their duties ; who is chairman ; how and for what 
a Grand Officer may be removed, and the vote required to remove ; 
charges against the Grand Master, and who shall preside when 
under consideration ; vacancies in office, how filled, by whom, and 
to fill for the balance of the term 466 

Nominations for elective officers, how and bv whom made ; when made, 

and how certified ; duty of the Grand Secretary thereon 467 



214 INDEX. 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE— Continued. Section 

Election of elective officers, when held in Subordinate Lodges ; by 

ballot, and proceedings thereafter 467 

Canvass of votes in the Grand Lodge, when and how ; what votes are 
valid ; what vote is required to elect ; and in case of no election 

proceedings thereon 467 

Recommendations of District Deputy Grand Masters ; when made and 

whom delivered to 467 

Election returns to be enclosed in sealed envelopes ; how to be in- 
dorsed and whom to be sent to 468 

The Grand Master may appoint or not the District Deputy Grand 

Masters nominated, as he thinks proper 469 

A D. D. G. M. taking a Withdrawal Card does not vacate his office, pro- 
vided he immediately deposits the same, but in the interim he can 

discharge no official act . 470 

Powers and duties of the Grand Master 471 

A Grand Master has the right to direct a Lodge to declare a ballot ir- 
regular and void 472 

The powers of the Grand Master are derived from the Constitution and 

Laws of the Order 473 

The Grand Master has no power to require a Subordinate Lodge to re- 
fuse admittance to a member who has been reinstated, claimed to 
be illegal, after he has paid his fees and has received the Password . 474 
The Grand Master has no power to suspend a Lodge or demand its 

Charter during recess of the Grand Lodge 475 

The Grand Master may remove a D. D. G. M. for neglect of duty or re- 
fusal to perform duties enjoined by law 476 

The Grand Master may appoint a D. D G. M. without the recommenda- 
tion of the District Grand Committee 477 

The Grand Master has no right to preside in District Grand Committee. 478 
Grand Masters should not report decisions of law already decided by the 

Grand Lodge, unless doubtful and change necessary 479 

The Deputy Grand Master shall assist the Grand Master and preside 
during his absence ; in case of vacancy the Deputy Grand Master 

shall become Grand Master for the bafance of the term 480 

The Grand Warden shall assist the Grand Master ; he has charge of the 
door, and in the absence of the Grand Master and Deputy Grand 

Master shall preside 481 

Duties of Grand Secretary ; and to give bonds 482 

Duties of Grand Treasurer ; and to give bonds 483 

Duties of Grand Eepresentatives 484 

Duties of Grand Chaplain 485 

Duties of Grand Marshal 486 

Duties of Grand Conductor 487 

Duties of Grand Guardian 488 

Duties of Grand Herald 489 

Duties of District Deputy Grand Masters ; how removed 490 

All Grand Officers, in addition to duties prescribed by the By-laws, 

shall perform such other duties as the Grand Lodge may enjoin. . . 491 
An officer of the Grand Lodge cannot serve upon a regular committee, 

unless a Eepresentative or Proxy. . . . 492 

The Grand Secretary to keep an account of stock, all supplies received 

or sold, the cost price, and what sold for . 493 

The Grand Master has the power and right to refuse to sign warrants 

for bills approved by the Finance Committee 494 

The Grand Secretary is not obliged to furnish certified copies of the 

proceedings and evidence in appeal cases - 495 

Standing Committee authorized and directed to make arrangements for 

newspaper and press reports 496 

The Graud Master cannot interfere during the progress of a trial 497 

The Grand Master's decisions are binding until reversed 498 

Any member has the right to submit to the Grand Master any question 

of law ; the Grand Master has the option to decide 499 



INDEX. 215 



OFFICERS OF GRAND LODGE -Continued. Section 

A D. D. G. M. has no right to take the Noble Grand's chair, except to 

confer degrees or installation of Lodge officers 500 

Duties of District Deputy Grand Masters as to dispensation for degrees. 501 

As to D. D. G. M. holding the office of Noble Grand of a Lodge 502 

A Past Grand of a Lodge working under a dispensation is eligible to 

the office of D D. G. M 503 

A D. D. G. M. under charges not suspended during trial 504 

A D. D. G. M. may decide questions of law submitted to him by Lodges 

or members ... 505 

Each District Grand Committee may procure a Charge Book for their 

D. D. G. M., but not a Ritual 506 

District Deputy Grand Masters are officers of the Grand Lodge 507 

A D. D. G. M. may make a verbal decision in a Subordinate Lodge iu 

his District in his official capacity 508 

A D. D. G. M., when officially visiting his own Lodge, cannot take part 

in its proceedings 509 

A D. D. G. M. cannot charge his District for his expenses 510 

A D. D. G. M. cannot charge a Rebekah Lodge for his services rendered 

at the request of the Lodge 511 

A D. D. G. M. should not instruct a Lodge not to admit an expelled 

member during an appeal 512 

A D. D. G. M. cannot charge his District for expenses, nor can he charge 

for any expenses excepting the institution of Lodges 513 

A D. D. G, M.'s communications need not be necessarily under seal to 

make theui official 514 

If a D. D. G. M. desires to be recognized officially, he should announce 

himself as such ; and if he desires to communicate officially with 

the Lodge in session, he must announce his presence as Deputy, 

and record made on the books of the Lodge of the fact 515 

A D. D. G. M. is not suspended from office while under charges. He 

can perform all his duties as if no charges were preferred or 

pending 516 

A D. D. G. M. cannot act on Trial Committee in his own Lodge on 

charges against one of its members 517 

A D. D. G. M. has no right to organize a staff to visit Lodges, except for 

institution and installations 518 

A D. D. G. M. must install officers of a Lodge though refusing to pay an 

assessment of the District Grand Committee 51 9 

A D. D. G. M. would be justified in refusing to install incompetent offi- 
cers in a Lodge 520 

A D. D. G. M. has no right to grant a dispensation to a person or Lodge 

belonging outside of his District , 521 

A D. D. G. M. and staff entering a Lodge in session, for any purpose, 

should address the Chairs 522 

A D. D. G. M. is not limited in time for a decision on an appeal prop- 
erly before him 52 3 

A D. D. G. M. should not confer the Past Noble Grand's Degree outside 

of District Grand Committee session, unless the good of the Order 

requires it 524 

A D. D. G. M., while present in a Lodge, is not obliged to give a verbal 

reply to a question verbally submitted ; he may require it in writing 525 
A D. D. G. M. does not vacate his office by removal from the territory of 

his District '. . . 526 

A D. D. G. M. expelled from his Lodge cannot exercise the duties of 

his office until it is reversed on appeal 527 

A D. D. G. M , taking a Withdrawal Card, has a month to deposit the 

same before the office is vacant 528 

A D. D G. M. finding a Lodge room insecure, his orders to make it 

secure must be obeyed, unless such order is reversed by the Grand 

Master 529 

The D. D. G. M. decides whether a dispensation to confer the degrees 

is necessary or not 530 



216 INDEX. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. Section 
Elective officers are the Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Secretary, and Treas- 
urer, who serve a regular term. There may be a Permanent Secre- 
tary elected, whose term is one year, when deemed necessary 531 

Appointed officers, who they are and the term 531 

Duties of the various officers are stated in Charge Books and the laws of 

the Lodge 531 

Who are eligible for office in a Lodge 531 

All officers must be free of charges on the books and have the Scarlet 

Degree before installation 531 

Nominations for elected officers, when and how made 531 

Officers, when elected and installed 531 

Vacancies in elective offices, when and how filled 531 

Committees , who appoints 531 

The Noble Grand must determine all ballots and votes 532 

The Vice Grand may make known the result of a ballot if the By-laws 

of the Lodge so provide 533 

The Noble Grand should vote on all ballots or questions decided by 

yeas and nays, except on appeal from his decision 534 

A Treasurer is not required to pay interest on any portion of the funds 

in his hands 535 

The Recording Secretary cannot receive salary 536 

The Sitting Past Grand cannot be fined for absence 537 

The Noble Grand shall preside, although under charges 538 

At end of term Noble Grand becomes the Sitting Past Grand, although 

under charges undecided 539 

The Vice Grand must preside in the absence of the Noble Grand 540 

The Right Supporter of the Noble Grand has no right to put a question 

while temporarily occupying the chair of Noble Grand 541 

The Noble Grand must put questions ; his remedy for putting an illegal 

question is by appeal 542 

A Noble Grand illegally installed, by reason of untruthful statements of 

the Lodge, cannot be removed 543 

A Vice Grand who has not served a majority of the nights of the term is 
not eligible for Noble Grand, unless for vacancy on the last nigl t 

of the term 544 

A Vice Grand cannot be elected during the term to fill vacancy of Noble 

Grand, unless he be a Past Grand or Past Vice Grand 545 

Officers who cannot be elected as Noble Grand 546 

When a Vice Grand need not serve a majority of nights of the term and 

be eligible for Noble Grand 547 

A member under undecided charges is eligible to hold office in a Lodge. 548 

Nominations for Secretary; who is not eligible 549 

No member can be elected under a nomination of "all eligible to the 

office " ; must be named 550 

Officers of Lodges having surrendered their Charters are not restored to 

office on resuscitation of the Lodge 551 

A Lodge has no right to recommend for office 552 

The Noble Grand and Vice Grand have no right to call a Past Grand to 

take their chairs while they are in the Lodge room 553 

A Noble Grand having been tried on charges and found not guilty by 
the Trial Committee on appeal to the Lodge the Noble Grand has 

the right to preside pending action on the appeal 554 

A Permanent Secretary is an elective officer, and the same rule of elec- 
tion of other officers must prevail, except as to term 555 

The Noble Grand holds possession of Charter, but must have it present 

in the room when the Lodge is open 556 

When Noble Grand and Vice Grand are absent from meeting, a Past 
Grand must preside and call on some brother to act as Vice Grand. 

If no Past Grand is present the I odge cannot open 557 

A Noble Grand pro tem. has the right to sign drafts on the Treasurer, 

and he must recognize the same 558 

A brother cannot be installed into office who is in arrears for dues or fines 559 



INDEX. 217 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES -Continued. Section 

The Noble Grand at an election for officers, on a tie vote, has no right to 

give the casting vote 560 

A Vice Grand having been suspended for two months, the office is 

vacant, and the Lodge may fill the vacancy 561 

When an officer has been installed his resignation must be acted on by 

the Lodge, not by the Noble Grand 562 

Continuous absence is necessary to vacate office 563 

No member can be elected Secretary unless he belongs to the Lodge ; 

who can act temporarily . . 564 

A Noble Grand or Vice Grand cm also be a Trustee, if not prohibited 

by the By-laws of the Lodge 565 

The Permanent Secretary's salary must be fixed by the By-laws, not by 

resolution 566 

The Treasurer and Permanent Secretary must report after the close of 

the term 567 

The Noble Grand must give opportunity to debate 568 

Representative to the Grand Lodge must be a Past Grand of the Lodge ; 

election, when held ; term of and vacancy how and Avhen filled. . . 569 
Proxy Kepresentative, who eligible ; how and when filled ; term of, 

but can only act f >r one Lodge 569 

A Sitting or Past Noble Grand is not eligible as a Regular or Proxy 

Representative unless he is a Past Grand 570 

Representatives cannot be instructed how to vote for officers 571 

A Lodge may elect a Representative to the Grand Lodge who is not 

present at nomination or election . . 572 

A D. D. G. M. cannot set aside an election of Representative and 

order a new election 573 

A Lodge is not obliged to pay its Representative to the Grand Lodge, 

unless its By-laws so provide 574 

Nominations for Representatives may be made on the election night. . 575 
A Past Grand who is a Trustee may be elected a Representative to the 

Grand Lodge 576 

A Past Grand of another Lodge may be elected a Proxy Representative. 577 
To elect a Representative to the Grand Lodge a majoiity of all the votes 

cast, blank or otherwise, is required 578 

Must receive the Scarlet Degree to be eligible for an appointed office . . 579 
An officer cannot be installed unless he is in possession of the Scarlet 

Degree 580 

A Noble Grand should not be installed who is not in possession of the 

Charges, or is incapable of learning the same 581 

A Past Grand may be in nomination for Noble Grand and Representa- 
tive at the same time 582 

A Noble Grand cannot be a Past Grand until his term is completed, and 

cannot be a Representative until he becomes a Past Grand 583 

A brother, duly nom nated for office, may decline at any time before 

election 584 

The term "Staff" means the Past Grands who attend with the Grand 

Master or D. D. G. M. on official visits 585 

An election for officers must be by ballot 586 

Distributing ballots for an officer on the night of election in the Lodge 

is not illegal 587 

The first Noble Grand of a Lodge is eligible for re-election, although he 

has not served a term as Vice Grand 588 

A dispensation from the Grand Master is necessary to install a Noble 

Grand who is not a Past Grand or Past Vice Grand, and cannot be 

granted unless all qualified have declined the office 589 

An election for officer cannot be invalidated by reason of illegal votes 

cast, unless objection is taken at the time 590 

A member who has never held office is eligible for any office except 

Noble Grand and Vice Grand, although not entitled to benefits. . . 591 
A Past Vice Grand is eligible to election of Noble Grand in a Lodge 

where he has deposited his Withdrawal Card 593 



218 INDEX. 



OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES.— Continued section 

Service as Secretary is not necessary for holding the office of Vice 

Grand or to render a Past Vice Grand eligible for Noble Grand. . . . 594 

Service of a majority of nights of a te m in an inferior office is necessary 

to hold the office of Vice Grand 595 

A Lodge cannot make a law for appointing its officers in alphabetical 
order as the members appear on its roll, nor affix a penalty for re- 
fusing to serve 596 

At the institution of a Lodge each member is eligible for any office in 

the Lodge 597 

A member elected or appointed to office is not obliged to accept the 

same ; if he does, he is liable for neglect of duty and may be fined . 598 

A Past Grand serving again as Noble Grand has all the rights and privi- 
leges of a Past Grand, except while in the Noble Grand's chair as 
Sitting Past Grand, but may deliver the Past Grand's Charge when 
no Past Grand is present 599 

On opening the Lodge, the Noble Grand and Vice Grand both being 
absent, a Past Grand of the Lodge must take the chair. If more 
than one be present, members select, unless By-laws provide 
otherwise. No Past Grand being present, the Lodge cannot be 
opened 600 

Not Lodge officers : a Drill Master, Master of Ceremonies or Captain. . . 601 

Degree Staff in a Lodge, of whom composed 602 

The Sitting Past Grand's chair, to whom it belongs 603 

Who to deliver the Past Grand's Charge at initiation 604 

Honors of office : only those are entitled who serve a majority of the 

nights of the term 605 

The Grand Master having directed a Lodge to have no installation of 
officers pending an investigation, none can be had ; old officers hold 
over 606 

The Outside Guardian should, during the opening ceremonies, admit to 

the anteroom all qualified members 607 

The Noble Grand has no power to declare any office vacant ; it must be 

done by the Lodge by a two-third vote 608 

An office cannot be declared vacant unless the officer is absent for three 

successive nights 609 

The Outside Guardian is required to invite all brothers in the anteroom 
at the opening to enter the Lodge room ; to take up the Semi- 
Annual Password from those who do not enter ; to report to the 
Noble Grand such as may refuse, and obtain permission for their 
remaining ; otherwise to clear the anteroom 619 

A Lodge cannot give leave of absence to an officer beyond his term of 
office. When the Vice Grand is not entitled to the honors of his 
office 611 

"When a Lodge, Subordinate or Eebekah, is instituted after the close of 
the first half of the term the officers hold over to the end of the 
next term 612 

The Treasurer of a Lodge cannot be paid for his services 613 

OFFICERS OF DEGREE LODGES. 

Elective officers, of whom to consist 614 

Appointed officers, of whom to consist; officers, when elected and in- 
stalled ; who eligible ; who shall preside ; who shall assist the De- 
gree Master ; duties of the Secretary and Treasurer ; duties of 
appointed officers ; when vacant and vacancies how filled 615 

A brother of a Subordinate Lodge in another District can hold the office 
of Noble Grand of a Degree Lodge in another District, if he is a 
member of the Degree Lodge 616 

A member of a Degree Lodge who is present at his nomination is eligi- 
ble for election 617 

A Degree Master has no right to confer the degrees at a place where 
there is no Lodge room and no Lodge in session, nor in a saloon, 
nor upon an intoxicated person 618 



INDEX. 



219 



OFFICERS OF REBEKAH LODGES. Section 

Elective officers, of whom to consist ; appointed officers, of whom to 
consist ; who eligible to office ; who appoints the officers ; elections 
for officers, when to be held ; when installed ; nominations, when 
made ; term of service ; how elected ; vacancies, for what and when, 
and how filled ; who to preside and who shall assist ; Secretary's 

and Treasurer's duties, and duties of appointed officers 619 

The Noble Grand of a Rebekah Lodge has no right to give the Pass- 
word of the degree to any but members of his Lodge 620 

Lodges how constituted and known 621 

Regular terms one year, commencing in January ; stated meetings of 
Lodge monthly, unless otherwise provided in By-laws ; special 

meetings, when called by the Noble Grand 622 

Who eligible to membership : Every Scarlet Degree member in good 
stauding ; his wife ; his unmarried daughters over eighteen years 
of age ; his unmarried sisters over eighteen years of age ; an un- 
married daughter of a Scarlet Degree member over eighteen years of 
age whose parents are dead ; the unmarried daughter of a deceased 
Odd Fellow, who is eighteen years old ; the widow of an Odd Fellow 
who was in good standing at his death, provided she shall not have 
re-married a person not a member ; how proposed and by whom, 
and proceedings on the application ; reconsideration of ballot and 
proceedings thereon ; withdrawal of application and rejection 623 

Miscellaneous. 

Dues, Cards, certificates, and suspensions 624 

Benefits : Lodges to pay such sums as Bj^-laws may provide, and may 

donate for such purposes 625 

Officers of the Lodge to make annual report of the work of the Lodge ; 

when and to whom, and what such report should contain 626 

All meetings to be held in a Lodge room of the Order, or elsewhere by 

permission of the Grand Master .... 627 

A sister Vice Grand cannot occupy the chair of the Noble Grand, except 

when conferring the degree 628 

A sister Right Supporter of the Noble Grand cannot occupy the Noble 

Grand's chair during the temporary absence of the .> oble Grand, 

and transact business 629 

Membership of a sister, how forfeited . . 630 

Can hold membership in only one Rebekah Lodge at the same time. . . . 631 
Improper conduct of a brother in a Rebekah Lodge, how disposed of. . . 632 
A sister who withdraws from the Lodge cannot regain membership, ex- 
cept as provided 633 

A brother cannot be a member of a Rebekah Lodge and at the same time 

an applicant for a new one 634 

A brother who has left his old Rebekah Lodge can be nominated for 

Noble Grand of a new Lodge to which he belongs as a Charter 

member 635 

The widow of a brother not in good standing iu his Lodge at the time^of 

his death is not eligible for membership 636 

Rebekah Lodge funds cannot be spent by its members for their own 

pleasures, such as rides, etc . 637 

A suspended member of a Subordinate Lodge ceases to be a member of 

a Rebekah Lodge 638 

A Rebekah or Subordinate Lodge, when they may hold a festival, and 

who to give permission 639 

A member of a Rebekah Lodge has a right to vote in his own Lodge on 

a question of rent to be charged against the Rebekah Lodge to 

which he belongs 640 

Rights of male and female members in a Rebekah Lodge are the same.. 641 
The Rebekah Degree can only be conferred in Rebekah Lodges, except 

on institution 642 

A member not in good standing in his Lodge cannot act as Guardian in 

a Rebekah Lodge 643 



220 INDEX. 



REBEKAH LODGES Continued. Section 

The unmarried daughters of a member not in good standing at his death 

are not eligible for membership in a Rebekah Lodge 644 

When the Lodge records cannot be found, testimony of the good stand- 
ing of a deceased member at the time of his death, how taken 645 

All persons qualified by law to receive the Rebekah Legree, if residents 

of the State, are eligible for membership in any Rebekah Lodge. . 646 

A suspended or expelled member of a Subordinate Lodge shall in no 
way affect the membership of his wife, sister, or daughter in a 
Rebekah Lodge 647 

A Rebekah member marrying a suspended Odd Fellow, or one who has 

never been one. does not affect her standing in her Lodge 648 

A Rebekah Lodge cannot refuse to receive dues from a widow member 

who has re-married 649 

The amended By-laws of a Rebekah Lodge not printed are binding on 

all its members 650 

A Noble Grand of a Rebekah Lodge, having by mistake declared a mem- 
ber suspended, has the right to revoke such decision 651 

A non-resident female is eligible for membership 652 

Where dues are made payable quarterly in advance, they should be paid 

on the first meeting of the quarter 653 

A Rebekah Lodge cannot vote away its funds to individuals, nor except 
for necessary expenses, and for relief in sickness and distress ; and 
what should be done in case the Lodge votes otherwise 654 

Rebekah Lodges meet semi-monthly or monthly ; cannot by their By- 
laws provide for weekly meetings 655 

A Rebekah Staff cannot wear paraphernalia at a social or dance, nor go 
through the work in the presence of any who are not members of a 
Rebekah Lodge 656 

In Rebekah Lodges dues accrue quarterly, to be charged and paid ac- 
cordingly, and cannot charge for fractions of a quarter 657 

In Rebekah Lodges the term is yearly, and the Lodge cannot elect 

officers semi-annually 658 

A Rebekah Lodge cannot declare the Acting Past Noble Grand's seat 

vacant for absence . . , 659 

In Rebekah Lodges Past Noble Grands are required to wear regalia in 

Lodge sessions 660 

In a Rebekah Lodge the retiring Noble Grand is eligible for re-election, 
and the Acting Past >*oble Grand is eligible to election as Noble 
Grand to fill a vacancy in that office 661 

In a Rebekah Lodge the member who occupies the chair of Noble Grand 
during the conferring of the degree is for the time Noble Grand of the 
Lodge, and as such has the right to communicate the Semi-Annual 
Password 662 

No member of a Lodge is barred from voting to give a Rebekah Lodge 
the use of the Lodge room gratuitous because he is a member, or in- 
tends to become a member, of the Rebekah Lodge 663 

A Rebekah Lodge cannot make a conting- nt fund from five per cent, on 
all moneys received from any source ; how and from what source 
contingent fund may be made 664 

In a Rebekah Lodge, when a sister has served as Vice Grand and Noble 
Grand, and is the Sitting Past Grand, she cannot be removed from 
that position by the Noble Grand 665 

A brother who has withdrawn from his Lodge cannot hold membership 

in a Rebekah Lodge for more than twelve months thereafter 666 

A member suspended from his Lodge, and afterwards receives a Dis- 
missal Certificate, which he deposits, cannot be reinstated in a 
Rebekah Lodge, except by propo-al and ballot, the same as any 
other candidate 667 

In a Rebekah Lodge an Acting Noble Gr md elected Noble Grand to fill 
a vacancy, or the retiring Noble Grand being re-elected and in- 
stalled for another year, may resign, and pass by right to the chair 
of Sitting Past Noble Grand, but is not entitled to the honors 668 



INDFX. 221 



REBEKAH LODGES— Continued. Section 

An appeal from a Rebekah Lodge in matter of trial must be to the 

Grand Master, not to the District Deputy Grand Master 669 

The Grand Master has the right to grant to a Rebekah Lodge permis- 
sion to close its anniversary with a social or dance 670 

An unmarried divorced sister of a Third Degree member is eligible for 

membership in a Rebekah Lodge 671 

PASSWORDS. 

No member in arrears for dues is entitled to the Password 672 

A member without the Password, not suspended, may sit in his Lodge. 673 

A brother receiviDg a Withdrawal Card is entitled to the A. T. P. W. . . 674 

After installation a brother cannot visit on the old Password 675 

Pending an appeal to Grand Lodge, an expelled member is entitled to 

the Password 6 76 

A D. D. G. M. has no right to give the new Password until after the 

installation . . . 677 

REGALIA. 

Past Grand's is to be worn over the left shoulder. 678 : 

Encampment, should not be woru except on visiting 679 

Should be worn at a meeting of a District Giand Committee 680 

A Past Grand has the right to wear one of a subordinate rank 681 

A temporary officer must wear the regalia of the office 682 

A Lodge has the right to wear regalia at a public house at its anniver- 
sary, if they have the consent of the Grand Master for the same.. . . 683 
Regalia may be worn at funerals of members without the consent of the 

Grand Master or the D. D. G. M. being obtained 684= 

A member should wear in the Lodge the regalia that his rank and sta- 
tion entitle him to wear 685 

At initiation members must attire themselves as provided by the Ritual . 686 

REINSTATEMENT. 

How reinstated ; a suspended or expelled member of a Lodge cannot be 

reinstated in another Lodge 687 

Illegal reinstatement, what is ; what can be done 688 

On suspension for non-payment of dues a member on reinstatement 

must pay one year's dues.. 689 

Attempted reinstatement ; when not entitled to visit 690 

A suspended brother to be reinstated must pay all of his dues 691 

Members of a defunct Lodge, when not reinstated 692 

Although illegally reinstated, if declared to be reinstated and having 

received the Password he cannot be disturbed 693 

There must be a two-third ballot in favor, to reinstate 694r 

A suspended brother who has been rejected need not wait six months 

after such refusal to apply again 695 

On application for reinstatement it is necessary for appointment of 

committee, ballot, etc 696 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Eligibility to the Sovereign Grand Lodge ; who entitled 697 

Eligibility to the Grand Lodge ; when elected 698- 

Proxy to the Grand Lodge, who entitled to ; term of 699 

Regular or Proxy must be a Past Grand before election 700 

What vote required to elect to the Grand Lodge . 701 

RESUSCITATION OF LODGES. 

When deemed a defunct Lodge 702 

Proceedings for resuscitation ; to whom made 703 

RETURNS. 

Subordinate Lodges to report annually 701 

Who shall prepare the report, and what to contain 705 

Failure to report, the penalty ; status of the Lodge 706 



222 INDEX. 



RE TUBNS— Continued. Section 

Degree Lodges, when to report, and what 707 

Failure of Degree Lodges to report, the penalty. . 708 

Rebekah Lodges to make and deliver reports December 31st, annually; 

what to contain 709 

Grand Lodge to furnish Lodges with statistical reports 710 

Each Working Lodge to keep copies of its reports 711 

District Deputy Grand Master's duty to compare the report of the Lodge . 712 

Grand Secretary to correct all returns 713 

Rebekah Lodges failing to make returns, the penalty 714 

REVENUE. 

Grand Lodge, for what purpose 715 

From what derived ; fees for Charter 715 

Duty of the Finance Committee thereon 715 

How collected, by whom, and when 715 

SEALS. 

Every Subordinate Lodge to have a seal 716 

Cannot be used on any but the Lodge documents 717 

Cannot be attached to a certain chart 718 

Noble Grand may authorize the Secretary to use during recess 719 

Secretary may use on receipts for dues 720 

SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

Preamble ; name and style ; Charter 721 

Application for Charter, how made ; what to contain ; to whom made ; 

proceedings thereon ; power to confer degrees, etc 722 

Withdrawal Cards must always accompany application for a new Lodge . 723 

Withdrawal Cards need not be presented to the District Grand Com- 
mittee on application for a Charter 724 

Illegal institution, what is ; D. D. G. M. has no right to erase names 

from petition 725 

Incorporation of Lodges ; cannot be done without the consent of the 
Grand Lodge ; neither the Grand Master nor the Standing Com- 
mittee has the power 726 

Names of Lodges not to be of living persons 727 

Regular semi-annual terms, when commence 728 

A Lodge cannot refuse admission to members during the reading of its 

minutes 729 

When the Noble Grand and Vice Grand are absent, who shall preside. . 730 

When to receive communications 731 

Communications between Lodges permitted, but the abuse of may be 

punished 732 

Under Good and Welfare, motions not in order unless provided for in 

the By-laws or Rules of Order 733 

Reading of the minutes of the Lodge before closing, no law requiring 

this to be done 734 

Grand Lodge communications to Lodges may be entered in full or not, 

as the Lodge may direct 735 

Lodge is not responsible to another Lodge for money loaned to a 

member . 736 

A special committee does not become extinct for neglecting to report at 

a given time, but the Lodge may discharge them for neglect of duty. 737 

A Lodge cannot levy a special tax on its members to fit up its Lodge 

room 738 

Committee on Candidates are not discharged for failing to report at the 

next succeeding meeting, unless discharged by a vote of the Lodge. 739 

A Past Grand may install upon the regular night, if the D. D. G. M. is 
absent, and the D. D. G. M. has no right to withhold the Semi- 
Annual Password from the Lodge on that account 740 

Charter must be in the Lodge room ; not a legal meeting without it is 

there 741 



INDEX. 223 



SUBORDINATE LODGES -Continued. Section 

No Lodge can lawfully meet on Sunday for business 742 

When a Lodge requests another Lodge to take care of a sick member, 

they must pay all the expenses that the Lodge is put to in doing so . 743 

A Lodge cannot prefer charges against a Lodge 744 

A proposition can onty be acted upon at a regular meeting 745 

Graud Lodge must consent before a Lodge can be incorporated 746 

A Subordinate Lodge may appropriate money to pay for services of an 

instructor in the work of the Order .... . 747 

A German Lodge that initiates in the English language has no right to 

do its work in the same 748 

A Lodge at the home of the D. D. G. M. has no right to appropriate 

money to pay him for visiting or installing its officers 749 

A Lodge must admit a visitor who is in good standing, if he belongs to 
a Lodge within the same jurisdiction ; if not, by Card and examina- 
tion 750 

A Lodge should not act on appeals for aid coming from outside of the 

Order 751 

A Lodge should not erase any portion of its approved minutes. Cor- 
rections should be noted in the minutes of the meeting at which 
they are made 752 

When a Warden leaves the Lodge room and fails to return, the Noble 

Grand should appoint one pro lent 753 

Lodge envelopes cannot be used for a business card 754 

The approved minutes of a Lodge are to be taken as proof instead of 

recollection of officers or members 755 

At an election in a Lodge for Grand Officers only Past Grands of the 

Lodge can vote. 756 

Where a special meeting of a Lodge is held in a public hall, no ad- 
mission fee can be charged to members of the Order attending 757 

No dispensation can be granted a Lodge to change its night of meeting. 

In case of the night being a holiday, what may be done 758 

The consolidation of two Lodges does not change the status of the 

members. 759 

For a new Lodge Charter only Third Degree members can apply 760 

In a German Working Lodge no person is eligible for certain offices 

who does not understand the German language 761 

A Lodge can change from German to English by changing its By-laws 

by a two-third vote, as provided by law. No other action is required. 762 

A Lodge having obtained permission to hold an entertainment for 
profit requires no other consent to sell tickets, unless to members 
residing in another city or town. In the latter case must have the 
permission of the Grand Master 763 

Paraphernalia of a Lodge not to be exhibited or explained to strangers, 

nor to those who have not received the degree in which they belong. 764 

Euchre parties, or any other use which would bring reproach, not al- 
lowed in Lodge rooms 765 

A Lodge initiating and conferring degrees on members for a new Lodge 

cannot refund fees for the same , 766 

Lodge minutes read and approved cannot be altered, except by vote of 

the Lodge 767 

Retiring Secretary must sign the annual reports 768 

No Lodge or members can issue a letter under the seal of the Lodge 
recommending assistance, unless the Grand Master shall first give 
permission therefor 769 

A Lodge may in a body visit a sister Lodge in another jurisdiction, if 
the Noble Grand or Vice Grand be present with his Visiting Card, 
and pass examination 770 

A Lodge cannot extend time of payment of arrears ; when a membei 

pays his arrears he is entitled to vote 771 

A Lodge cannot by law fine members for non-attendance at Lodge 

meetings 772 

After the institution of a Lodge, who may serve as Sitting Past Grand . . 773 



224 INDEX. 



SUBORDINATE LODGES -Continued. Section 

A Lodge may by law fine an officer for absence 774 

The Bible is required to be in the Lodge room, and if a Lodge requires 

it to be read they must pass a By-law to that effect and abide by the 

same 775 

If a Lodge desires to hold its meetings in any other than its chartered 

location, how permission may be had . 776 

Memorial Day, June 10th in each year 777 

No smoking allowed during sessions of District Grand Committees 

or Subordinate Lodges 778 

Subordinate Lodges, in taking votes of Fast Grands for Grand Officers, 

must carry out the laws of the Grand Lodge . . 779 

Section 8, Article ii. of Subordinate Constitution, does not apply to the 

holder of a Dismissal Certificate 780 

SUSPENSIONS. 

Members how suspended; for what cause, and proceedings thereon, with 

exceptions 781 

Violation of what laws, with penalty 782 

When a member is suspended ; proceedings 783 

Not suspended until declaration, etc 784 

Cannot be suspended for arrears, except for dues 785 

Cannot be suspended for a judgment held by the Lodge 786 

When not wrongfully suspended for arrears of dues 787 

How a suspended member may be reinstated 788 

When a suspended member is entitled to a Dismissal Certificate; amount 

to be paid ; no vote required 789 

Suspension for an indefinite period is illegal 790 

TRIALS. 

No Lodge or District Grand Committee can be expelled or suspended, 

except as provided by law 791 

Manner and mode of trial ; how charges are to be made and proceed- 
ings thereon ; the status of Lodges under charges ; bogus Lodges, 
and penalties for such action , '. 791 

Offences and penalties for non-payment of dues ; proceedings 
thereon ; exception ; what penalty liable to ; violation of law as to 
bogus Lodges ; non-payment of fines, what penalty 792 

Convictions for felony, penalty on ; proceedings for ; trial on charges 
of ; findings of committee ; proceedings thereon ; neglect to stand 
trial; when sentenced ; notice to Lodges of ; appeal 793 

Charges, how drawn ; manner and form of. 794 

A Lodge cannot prefer charges against a member 795 

A Lodge cannot appoint a committee to prefer charges against a 

brother ; must be done by a member 796 

A Lodge may appoint a committee to investigate as to the sickness of a 

member who claims sick benefits 797 

A Lodge may provide by law for the Vice Grand to appoint the-minority 

of the Committee on Charges 798 

Vice Grand of a Lodge must preside while charges against the Noble 

Grand are pending, and appoint the committee to investigate , . 799 

A Lodge cannot appoint a Past Grand to preside pending action on 
charges against the Noble Grand, nor during the absence of the 
Noble Grand, when the Vice Grand is present 800 

New charges can be made against a brother already under charges ; pro- 
ceedings thereon 801 

Charges in relation to business matters between brothers cannot be re- 
ceived by the Lodge 802 

No vote is required to receive charges 803 

When charges are preferred, no discussion on them to be allowed be- 
fore the report of the committee 804 

Charges cannot be withdrawn after reference to the committee without 

the consent of the accused and the Lodge 805 



INDEX. 225 



TRIALS -Continued. Section 

Members cannot be expelled, except on charges and trial, although 

committed in presence of the Lodge 806 

Members convicted and imprisoned for crime, how proceeded against. . 807 

Once intoxicated, is not guilty of drunkenness 808 

Charges may be preferred at any time 809 

A Noble Grand cannot act as counsel for a brother of his Lodge under 

charges 810 

Challenge of Trial Committee must be before pleading 811 

A brother under charges has the rit;ht of counsel 812 

A suspended brother, for non-payment of dues, may act as counsel ; 
but a lawyer not a member cannot ; he must be a member, al- 
though not in good standing 813 

Committees and Proceedings before them. 

Number of Committee on Charges ; how chosen ; refusing to serve, and 
proceedings thereon ; duty of committee ; minutes and report, and 

proceedings on the same ; appeal thereon 814 

Duty of the Noble Grand to appoint a committee of five to try ; when 
the Vice Grand may appoint the minority of the committee ; chal- 
lenge and grounds thereof ; who to decide the challenge 815 

Duty of the Secretary ; how and to what he may certify, and form of. . . 816 

Notice of trial, and what the committee may do 817 

Pleading to charges ; objections to charges, and what they may be 817 

Quorum, three members to constitute 818 

Minutes io be kept; who to keep, and proceedings thereon ; signing 

the report : number to sign, and committee to interpret . 819 

Refusal to stand trial, what proceedings to be had thereon ; when to 

be represented by counsel 820 

Contempt ; refusal to plead ; pleas to be received, and proceedings 

thereon ; expulsion 821 

Appearing by counsel ; contempt, what is 822 

Condonation of offences ; when Lodge becomes defunct and surrenders 

its Charter ; what shall be done in such cases 823 

Notice not given when waived by the accused 824 

Waiver of technicalities, when not considered 825 

Adjournment ; counsel ; contempt, rules thereon 826 

New charges, how the committee is to proceed 827 

Challenging the Committee on Trial, pi oper time 828 

A member cannot be tried twice for the same offence . 829 

Committee cannot report not guilty when the accused has pleaded 

guilty ; who can make objection 830 

A District Grand Committee cannot go into the details of a case when 

the accused pleads guilty . 831 

An admission of guilt vitiates all previous proceedings before the Com- 
mittee on Trial 832 

The Noble Grand cannot serve on the Trial Committee of one of the 

members of his Lodge 833 

The Committee of Trial who are guilty of wrong or illegal acts on trial 

are liable to charges 834 

Charges against the Trial Committee to be made separately, and what 

is violation of law 835 

A Lodge cannot instruct committee to prefer charges against a member. 

An officer may prefer charges, but must do it as a member 836 

A Noble Grand, knowing a member to have been guilty of improper 

conduct, should prefer charges as a member 837 

A member committing a fraud on representations, in regard to his 

health on his proposition, is liable to charges thereon 838 

A member who converts Lodge funds to his own use is liable to charges 

and trial 839 

An officer or member who receives money from a member to pay to his 

Lodge, and fails to pay the same as requested, is liable to charges 

of malfeasance, and to punishment on conviction 840 

In a Rebekah Lodge, or elsewhere, an Odd Fellow who falsely represents 

himself as a Past Grand is liable to charges thereon 841 

15 



226 INDEX. 



TRIALS -Continued. Section 

A Permanent Secretary falsely crediting himself for dues not paid is 
liable to charges ; who is to make the charge and what is to be 
done 842 

A member known to be a thief or seducer is liable to charges 843 

A member borrowing money from a Lodge, and failing or refusing to 
pay it, is not liable to charges, unless obtained under false pre- 
tences 844 

A Vice Grand does not nominate a minority of the Committee on Trial 

on charges preferred 845 

When the Noble Grand cannot reject charges preferred 816 

A Committee on Trial must be appointed, not elected ; when to be ap- 
pointed ; challenge 847 

Charges against a member in State prison must be served on him 

personally 848 

Charges withdrawn no bar to have same charges again preferred 849 

Charges preferred may be withdrawn ; how 850 

Officers or members are not entitled to compensation for services as 
committee or witnesses, excepting for service of papers and for 
necessary traveling fees 851 

On a trial upon charges the appearance of the accused may be in person 
or by counsel, as to excuse for absence ; and motion for adjournment 
is in the discretion of the Trial Committee 852 

A member who has appeared and had an adjournment is not guilty 

of contempt in not appearing on the adjourned day 853 

A member of the Trial Committee cannot be used as a witness ; when 
he may be called ; and if called in good faith cannot act on com- 
mittee 854 

No brother can be twice placed in jeopardy 855 

Penalty must be fixed by the Lodge ; cannot be recommended by the 

Trial Committee 856 

A member expelled loses all his rights from the time the vote is taken 

and announced 857 

A member expelled or suspended is not entitled to the Semi-Annual Pass- 
word nor to benefits of any kind 858 

A member notified to appear as a witness on charges, failing to appear, 

is liable to charges 859 

A Lodge that persistently rejects a candidate without cause is liable to 

charges ... 860 

A brother desiring to change his name on the books of the Lodge must 

obtain consent of the Grand Lodge 861 

Evidence and Witnesses. 

What kind of evidence is competent on a trial 862 

How obligated ; absent witness, how procured 862 

Witness, how summoned on trial 863 

When Noble Grand is on trial the Vice Grand must issue the summons. . 864 

A wife is not a competent witness against her husband 865 

A brother is competent in his own behalf. 866 

Hearsay evidence is not competent 867 

Time to appeal is within two weeks , . 868 

Report of Committee and Action of Lodge thereon. 

Form of report, majority and minority 869 

Report to be entered upon the minutes of the Lodge, and what is to be 
done after it is received ; action on appeal ; notice of final action to 

be served s 870 

How to proceed in case of no appeal 871 

Refusing to stand trial, proceeding thereon 872 

Reprimand, when to take place 873 

Notice of expulsion, when and to whom given ; when no appeal has 

been taken 874 

When suspension takes effect 875 

Lodge must act on the report of the committee ; when » 876 

Report must lie over two weeks before action 877 



INDEX. 227 



TRIALS— Continued. Section 

After plea of guilty, no action to be had until two weeks alter. 878 

Report of contempt must lie over two weeks. 879 

Improper service of report, how remedied 880 

Severe penalty ; a Lodge has exclusive jurisdiction 881 

Trial of Grand Officers, proceedings thereon 882 

When a Grand Master is under charges a Past Grand Master is to 

preside . „ • 883 

Appeals. 

To the District Grand Committee ; how taken ; proceedings 884 

A member deprived of a right may appeal 884 

Appeal must be taken within twenty days; what proceedings he must 

take 885 

Notice of appeal must be served in time to be legal 886 

A brother on refusal of benefits, when to appeal 887 

Notice must be served upon th s Lodge ; who must make the return to 

the District Grand Committee. . . 888 

Complainant cannot appeal ; when 889 

Appeal in respect to benefits ; the Lodge must have refused to pay be- 
fore appeal is taken 890 

The member suspended for non-payment of dues is the only one to 

appeal \ 891 

A District Grand Committee must, in case of expulsion, have the appeal 

taken to them in the first instance 892 

An appeal cannot be taken directly to the Grand Lodge in reference to 

benefits ; must first be taken to the District Grand Committee . . 893 

Returns by Lodge ; rules in regard to the same 894 

Must be under seal, otherwise the return is not legal 895 

All papers must be in the English language 896 

Failure to make return from a Lodge, what shall be done : when ap- 
peal is to be heard ; what notice appellant and respondent are 

entitled to 897 

Rules of evidence, what they are ; notice of decision ; duty of Secre- 
tary ; when final 898 

Irregularity or informality, what proceedings may be had in such 

cases ; what evidence may be received 899 

When committee may receive evidence 900 

District Grand Committee may reverse for want of evidence ; when the 

G. L. has no right to interfere, for the reason of severe penalty. . . . 901 
Past Grands when interested cannot act; when they may act as counsel. 902 
District Grand Committea must decide, though there is no appearance 

be'ore them ; they cannot dismiss the appeal on that account .... 903 

Who may act as counsel for a Lodge 904 

If errors appear in papers oa return on appeal, and full returns are not 

made, they may be sent back for a further return 905 

District Grand Committee may be instructed by the Grand Lodge. . . . 906 
Abusive or irrelevant matters in appeal papers no reason for return 

of appeal 907 

A brother not interested or aggrieved cannot take an appeal . . . 908 

A brother under indictment for crime, while his trial is pending, can- 
not be tried in his Lodge for the same offence 909 

A brother who appears before the Trial Committee and pleads, either 
in person or by counsel, cannot be reported as guilty of contempt 
if he fails to appear again, but the committee should proceed to 

hear and determine the charges 910 

A brother not a member of the same Lodge as the accused cannot 

serve on the Trial Committee 911 

On the trial of a Past Grand, if there are not Past Grands enough of the 
Lodge to fill the Trial Committee, the Noble Grand should fill up 

the committee with Third Degree members of the Lodge 912 

The Trustees of the Lodge are competent to act on the Trial Commit- 
tee of a brother under charges 913 

A brother under charges has the right to prefer charges against another 

brother 914 



228 INDEX. 



TRIALS -Continued. Section 

A Lodge has the right to adjourn while considering an appeal from the 

Trial Committee 915 

Where papers on appeal have been received and lost the appeal does 
not lapse ; proceedings thereon ; the filing of new papers is not a 

new appeal 916 

In case of charges or appeal, either party, or counsel, has the right to 

inspect papers and make copies 917 

When tlie twenty days' limit of time to appeal commences to run 918 

When the By-laws of a District Grand Oommittee provide for a Com- 
mittee on Appeals, what the D. D. G. M. must do in the matter 

after appeal is received 919 

Appeal papers remain in the official custody of the D. D. G. M 920 

In appeal cases before the District Grand Committee counsel is not 
confined to Past Grands — that the members be in good standing is 

all that is necessary 921 

Appeals to the Grand Lodge. 

When the decision may be reversed ; proceedings thereon 922 

Appeals in Rebekah Lodges, to whom taken 923 

Appeals from Lodges or members, how taken 924 

Appeal must be taken in time, or not heard 925 

Case and points on appeal mast be stated, or the appeal will be dis- 
missed 926 

What grounds for appeal to the Grand Lodge are necessary 927 

Affidavits or certificates not used before the Lodge or District Grand 

Committee, on hearing ; can be used in the Grand Lodge 928 

Appeal does not stay proceedings - 929 

The notice of appeal must specify errors 930 

Papers must show errors affirmatively , • 931 

When the Grand Master will not entertain appeal 932 

When case reversed upon petition ; grounds for 933 

When a new trial granted , the effect of 934 

Contempt ; mistrial, proceedings thereon 935 

Acquitted on charges ; effect of the same 936 

A Lodge cauuot be tried twice on the ^ame charges 937 

VOTING. 

Past Grands of a Lodge interested cannot vote 938 

A two-third vote, what it means 939 

What is a legal ballot in voting for degrees 940 

Voting in the Grand Louge, rules for 941 

All Lodge members must vote, unless excused . . . , 942 

In Rebekah Lodges all elections must be by ballot ; rules for and how 

many to elect 943 

The Noble Grand of the Lodge has the right to vote ; exception 944 

The Code of Procedure, objections to 945 

A brother cannot send his ballot to his Lodge 946 

Lodges voting in the Grand Lodge, rules for 947 

Illegal voting in the Grand Lodge; proceedings thereon; how dis- 
posed of 948 

Cannot compel a member to vote or retire 949 

Illegal vote good, unless objected to at the time 950 

Challenge of votes, when to be made 951 

A brother asking to be excused from voting is not obliged to give his 

reasons for 952 

WORK OP THE ORDER. 

Exemplification of the work ; when to be given 953 

Who has the right to exemplify 954 

No person in a Lodge can give the unwritten work except the Noble 

Grand, Yice Grand, or a Past Grand 955 

In initiations and conferring of degrees the Ritual must be followed ; 

nothing added or omitted 956 



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